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Jenna Dewan’s fiancé, Steve Kazee, has also publicly voiced his support.

The 50-year-old actor spoke out after Dewan’s Dancing with the Stars pro partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, was suspended from the ballroom.

Kazee posted a photo of his fiancé on his Instagram Stories, writing, “Everytime I think I can’t love you more, your grace, your class, and your heart prove me wrong.” 

“You got this baby! We got you,” he continued.

Dewan will perform her dance next week with Dancing with the Stars pro Alan Bersten, who was eliminated in the third week.

Chmerkovskiy became the first ever pro to be suspended after making a reference to Will Smith‘s 2022 Oscar slap on social media.

In a since-deleted TikTok, he wrote, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.” He made the post after his wife, fellow DWTS dance pro Jenna Johnson, faced scrutiny from judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

According to Deadline, BBC Studios released a statement on Saturday, Oct. 17, that read, “The well-being of everyone who works on Dancing with the Stars is non-negotiable. Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show. As a result, he will not participate in next week’s show.”

After the news of his suspension, Chmerkovskiy took to his Instagram Stories, sharing that he will not be in the ballroom for “Dedication Night.”

“In a moment where my instinct was to defend my wife, I made a poor decision to reference a meme to ‘keep my wife’s name’ out of the conversation, without stopping to think through what else that reference could imply, which was genuinely never my intention,” he wrote on Oct. 17. “Carrie Ann certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgement, and I hate that she was.”

“The last thing I want is to become a distraction from an important week or from the incredible work my dance partner Jenna Dewan is putting in,” the dancer continued. “Please send Carrie Ann, Jenna, and the whole DTWS family lots of love during Dedication Night. I’ll be watching and cheering everyone on!! ❤️.”

Nathan Fielder co-directed a documentary about Elizabeth Holmes, and he says he still can’t fully explain what he went through making it. “I still am not sure to this day what I experienced,” Fielder said at an Oct. 6 Q&A at Los Angeles’ Academy Museum, where he appeared with co-director Lance Oppenheim and moderator Bill Hader, according to People.

The film, You Can See Everything, opened in theaters Oct. 16. It follows the 34 days before Holmes reported to a federal prison in Bryan, Texas, on May 30, 2023. Holmes and her partner, Billy Evans, invited Fielder, Oppenheim and a small crew into their California home, People reports. The couple share two children.

What stuck with Fielder was the lack of answers. He and his team kept asking why the couple wanted them there, he said, and no real explanation ever came. Why would anyone choose to spend a last month of freedom this way? He joked that even without cameras, he wouldn’t choose himself for the job.

His on-camera conversations with Holmes and Evans seemed to go in circles, and Fielder said the team constantly debated what the interviews meant. Comparing notes made it harder. When other people who had experienced the same thing remembered it differently, he said, he started to wonder whether he was seeing it properly.

He hopes the wider release helps. Fielder said the group behind the film was small for a long time, and he thinks audiences might help him make sense of what they went through.

Holmes founded Theranos in 2003 and promised cheap diagnostic testing that could screen for hundreds of diseases from a few drops of blood. The technology didn’t work. She was convicted on multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy and sentenced to 11 years, which People reports was reduced to nine for good behavior. She has maintained her innocence.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard was involved in a minor car crash in Louisiana over the weekend, according to TMZ, which first reported the incident. It came about two weeks after the death of Ken Urker, her former fiancé and the father of her daughter, Aurora.

Louisiana State Police Troop C told TMZ that troopers investigated a minor crash involving Blanchard in Terrebonne Parish on Oct. 17. Police said the collision caused minor property damage, no injuries were reported and no arrests were made.

A source told TMZ the crash happened at an intersection in Houma and that Blanchard had up-to-date car insurance. The source also said the sun was in her eyes and was a factor. A Facebook user posted about the alleged collision, writing that “2026 is wild.” TMZ said it reached out to Blanchard for comment and had not heard back.

The crash comes during a painful stretch for Blanchard. Urker was found dead at his home in Raceland, Louisiana, on Oct. 1, which was also his birthday, according to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. The office confirmed he was found dead when deputies arrived and said the death is under investigation. Blanchard told People that “Ken was an amazing father and a man who was deeply loved.” She has also said Urker faced intense online scrutiny and cyberbullying, and she asked for privacy for their daughter and families.

Blanchard and Urker first connected in 2017 while she was serving a prison sentence for her role in the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. Urker reached out after watching the HBO documentary Mommy Dead and Dearest, according to PinkNews. Urker was best known for appearing with Blanchard on Lifetime’s Gypsy Rose: Life After Lockup, according to TheWrap. Their story has also been dramatized on Hulu’s The Act, with Joey King playing Blanchard.

The couple were engaged in 2018, split, and reunited in April 2024. They welcomed Aurora in December 2024.

More than four decades after its release, Prince’s “Purple Rain” has earned another major distinction. In its 2026 ranking of the 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time, Rolling Stone named the late musician’s 1984 classic No. 1, placing it ahead of celebrated performances by Jimi Hendrix, Eagles and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour.

The magazine highlighted the emotional intensity of Prince’s playing, recognizing a performance that has become one of the defining moments of his career. Released in 1984, “Purple Rain” became the centerpiece of both his album and the movie of the same name. Its extended guitar solo builds gradually toward an emotional climax, combining technical precision with the expressive playing that helped establish Prince as one of rock’s most distinctive musicians.

The recording also has an unusual history. The song was performed live at Minneapolis’ First Avenue nightclub on August 3, 1983, and portions of that performance were used in the finished album version.

Paul Natkin / Getty Images

Prince’s position at the top of the ranking is particularly notable given his history with Rolling Stone. As Guitar World reported, the musician was famously omitted from the magazine’s 2003 list of the 100 greatest guitarists, although he was included in later editions.

Another of his performances also appears on the guitar solo ranking. His rendition of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” at the 2004 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony earned the No. 15 spot.

During that performance, Prince joined musicians including Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne for a tribute to George Harrison, delivering an extended guitar solo that became one of the ceremony’s most memorable moments.

Prince died in April 2016 at age 57, leaving behind a catalog that crossed rock, funk, pop and R&B. A decade after his death, the recognition offers another reminder of his versatility as a musician. While “Purple Rain” has long been celebrated as one of his defining songs, its guitar solo now occupies the top position in Rolling Stone‘s ranking.

Few things in life bring as much immediate comfort as sitting down to a favorite meal after a long day. You expect your morning coffee to taste rich and smooth, and your favorite dinner to carry its usual comforting, savory warmth.

But what happens when the foods you’ve loved for years suddenly taste metallic, bitter or completely off? It’s easy to blame a bad batch of ingredients, an expiring spice jar or a lingering head cold. When subtle body changes happen slowly over time, we rarely associate them with internal organs working quietly behind the scenes.

Related: Ophthalmologists Are Begging People To Stop Doing This in the Shower

Our kidneys act as the ultimate internal filtration system, balancing fluids, regulating essential blood pressure hormones and filtering waste out of our bloodstream 24 hours a day. Yet, because these bean-shaped powerhouses are remarkably quiet workers, damage can mount without causing any acute physical pain or early dramatic warnings. Most people don’t think twice about their kidney health until a routine medical checkup or a sudden shift in daily well-being forces them to pay closer attention.

Understanding how internal organ health impacts everyday experiences—like how we enjoy food—can empower us to listen more closely to what our bodies are telling us. While kidney disease often develops silently for years, its progression eventually sends signals that reach far beyond blood test results and into our daily lives.

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How Advanced Kidney Disease Alters Your Sense of Taste

When kidney function drops significantly, the body loses its ability to clear away metabolic waste products like urea. As these toxins accumulate in the bloodstream—a condition known medically as uremia—they alter saliva composition and directly impact how taste buds function. Once enjoyable meals can suddenly taste metallic, salty or harsh, often causing a sharp drop in appetite.

Dr. Kalyani Perumal, MD, a nephrologist and system director and medical director of Bureau Wide Dialysis Services at Cook County Health, previously told Parade that this symptom doesn’t appear out of nowhere in the early stages of kidney trouble. Instead, an altered taste sensation is a red flag that typically signals late-stage kidney dysfunction.

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According to Dr. Perumal, because kidney damage progresses without early physical pain, many adults live with declining function without knowing it. “Kidney disease is a silent killer, so many do not have any signs of kidney disease until they are in the late stages of the disease,” she explained.

When the condition reaches those advanced phases, taste distortion rarely happens in isolation. Dr. Perumal noted that in advanced stages, people complain of “excessive fatigue, altered taste sensation, swelling of legs, face and abdomen, itchy skin, poor sleep, cramping in the muscles, poor appetite and mental slowing.”

Because 90% of adults with chronic kidney disease don’t know they have it, noticing a persistent change in how food tastes—especially alongside fatigue or fluid retention—is a key signal to consult a doctor for comprehensive blood and urine tests.

Why Long-Term Daily Habits Matter for Kidney Health

Because early kidney damage is invisible to the naked eye, preventing advanced complications comes down to protecting these organs long before severe symptoms ever develop. The kidneys are constantly exposed to our daily lifestyle choices, absorbing the long-term stress of our routine habits.

Related: Podiatrists Are Begging You To Stop Wearing This Around the House—and Share What To Wear Instead

Dr. Perumal pointed out that the kidneys are often “innocent bystanders” when it comes to daily health choices. “They face the brunt of many habits that start early in life and continue through adult years,” Dr. Perumal says.

One of the most common habits that undermines kidney health over time is consistently consuming an unhealthy, nutrient-void diet high in ultra-processed foods, excess sodium and high sugar. “As children and teenagers, we get accustomed to consuming fast food because of our busy school life, stressful college years, multiple extracurricular activities and active social life. This becomes a habit, hard to let go even when we become aware of its deleterious effects on our health,” Dr. Perumal explained. “This results in obesity, hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol in adult life, all leading to the development of kidney disease.”

By prioritizing a nutrient-rich diet with whole grains, fruits, vegetables and plant proteins while managing blood pressure through regular checkups, you can protect your kidneys’ filtration power—and keep your sense of taste sharp for years to come.

Adapted from Parade’s The Common Habit That Could Be Damaging Your Kidneys, According to a Nephrologist by Emily Laurence Sardinha.

Up Next:

Sources

• Dr. Kalyani Perumal, MD, a nephrologist and system director and medical director of Bureau Wide Dialysis Services at Cook County Health

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Ceramic cookware is taking over kitchens. With sleek finishes, trendy colors and nonstick surfaces designed to make cooking and cleanup easier, today’s pots and pans are bringing plenty of style to the stovetop. For home cooks who want kitchen essentials that look as good as they perform, Sam’s Club has a colorful cookware set that’s getting plenty of attention.

The retailer’s Member’s Mark 11-Piece Evergreen Club Modern Ceramic Cookware Set is winning over shoppers with its contemporary design and practical features. Available in shades including hunter green, cream, gray, burgundy and black, the collection lets cooks trade basic cookware for something a little more eye-catching. The hunter green option is especially striking, with a rich finish that looks right at home in a modern kitchen.

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Member’s Mark 11-Piece Evergreen Club Modern Cookware Set, $199 at Sam’s Club

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The set includes two fry pans measuring 9.5 and 11 inches, a two-quart covered saucepan, a three-quart Dutch oven, a six-quart Dutch oven, a four-quart deep sauté pan and a multifunction stainless steel basket. The accompanying lids are included, too, giving cooks plenty of options for everything from frying eggs and sautéing vegetables to simmering sauces and preparing large meals.

Beyond its stylish look, the cookware features a ceramic nonstick coating that helps food slide right off, plus heavy aluminum construction for durability and even heat distribution. The set works with all cooktops, including induction, and is oven-safe up to 450 degrees. It’s also dishwasher-safe, although Sam’s Club recommends handwashing to help preserve the finish and nonstick performance.

Shoppers seem just as enthusiastic about its performance as its looks. One reviewer exclaimed, “Where has this been all my life?” while another praised the “beautiful” cookware and its ceramic coating.

Related: Aldi Is Bringing Back $20 Nostalgic Ceramic Christmas Trees for Just $20, and They’ll Sell Out Fast

This Modern Cookware Set Is as Beautiful as It’s Functional

A hunter green owner also shared a glowing review: “Definitely nonstick. They are solid and well built. I purchased the hunter green and use them on a glass top stove and have had no issues so far. No staining or anything. I handwash in warm water after each use and they clean up super easy.”

That combination of good looks, sturdy construction and easy cleanup is certainly appealing for anyone looking to refresh their kitchen essentials.

The set is listed at $199 on Sam’s Club’s website, a great deal for such a comprehensive cookware set. For shoppers who want a coordinated cookware collection that balances modern style with everyday functionality, this set might just be worth adding to your wish list.

Related: Aldi’s $30 Oval Dutch Oven Is a Le Creuset Lookalike Without the Sticker Shock

Gleb Savchenko reacted to the news that Alan Bersten will replace Val Chmerkovskiy as Jenna Dewan’s partner for Dancing with the Stars’ Dedication Night.

In a TikTok livestream screen recorded by a fan, Savchenko, 43, questioned why Bersten was the pick to fill in for Chmerkovskiy, who is currently on a one-week suspension from the ABC celebrity ballroom competition.

“Alan, I think he’s Alan,” Savchenko said. “I mean, he’s just not up to the level of dancing, like, period. …The quality, the technique. He’s a good dancer, I guess, for TV, but if we talk about art? Like creating art? He’s like, hmm.”

“I don’t want to talk s— about anyone,” Savchenko added. “I’m just being honest. I don’t have anything against the guy, just, why Alan?”

Savchenko noted that a member of the Dancing with the Stars troupe, such as Season 35 dancers Carter Williams and Jaxon Willard, could have been asked, as well as recently eliminated Brandon Armstrong.

“Who else is there? Give, what’s his name [a chance]?” he said. “Who’s on troupe? …Because Jenna’s small and Val is a little smaller than Brandon and Alan, so who [else] would I put her with? I don’t know.”

RELATED: Brandon Armstrong Says Ciara Miller’s DWTS Dedication Night Dance Would Have Been ‘Unbelievable’

Bersten was paired with celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis for DWTS  Season 35, but they were eliminated in week 2. The pro dancer’s return to the ballroom comes amid Chmerkovskiy’s suspension from the show for posting an inappropriate TikTok post aimed at judge Carrie Ann Inaba, who criticized his wife Jenna Johnson choreography on Super Bowl Night. Chmerkovskiy has since apologized to Inaba and Dancing With the Stars fans.

As for Savchenko, he was never part of Season 35. After the cast list was announced in early September, he posted to Instagram to tell fans, “Guys, you can stop telling me you’re sorry. I’m good. Nothing but love and gratitude for all the years in that ballroom. Excited for this next chapter—and wishing everyone an amazing season. No sad messages. We’re moving forward.”

He later told Us Weekly he was happy to have a break from DWTS after competing on it for 12 seasons in a row.

“I’ll probably say a little break, a little hiatus, a little reset,” he told the outlet. “I don’t even remember how many seasons I’ve done nonstop and the tours. So this year is actually a good thing to take a break.

“I’m not retired from Dancing With the Stars. I’m coming back as a celebrity to win it,” Savchenko promised.

Related: Jenna Johnson ‘Had a Good Cry’ After Carrie Ann Inaba’s Harsh ‘DWTS’ Critique

Emilia Pérez is one of the most divisive films in recent years and continues to face scrutiny, with a new ranking placing the Oscar-winning drama at the top of a list no Oscar contender would want to lead.

Despite earning 13 Academy Award nominations and winning two Oscars, the 2024 musical crime drama remains one of the most divisive films of its awards season, with its recognition and the criticism surrounding it continuing to fuel debate. In a new list curated by Collider, the movie directed by Jacques Audiard has been named the worst Oscar-winning movie ever, ahead of several films that have won the golden statuette.

The film produced by Netflix, which features Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez, tried to blend a crime thriller with a musical and a narrative concerning transgender identity. Although this ambitious combination helped secure a place in the awards discussions, its treatment of Mexico, its characters, and its main themes also drew considerable criticism.

However, it is worth noting that the film didn’t receive universal hatred from critics. The movie is currently certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and sits comfortably at a 70% critics’ score. Moreover, it has a 73% score on the Popcornmeter from verified audiences.

What Made ‘Emilia Pérez’ So Divisive and Controversial?

The movie centers on a Mexican cartel boss who feigns his death and has gender-affirming surgery to start a new life under the name Emilia Pérez. Saldaña takes on the role of Rita, the lawyer who assists Emilia in getting rid of her previous identity, and Gomez plays Emilia’s former wife, Jessi. The situation offered Audiard the chance to examine themes of transformation, guilt, and the possibility of redemption. Yet the film’s various conflicting ideas have now become the main source of disagreement among viewers.

The way the film handles its musical numbers has caused a split among audiences. Instead of adhering to the usual rules of a traditional musical, it alternates between crime drama, dark comedy and stylized musical performances. While some spectators find this non-conventional method makes the film stand out, for others the songs and the changes in tone disrupt the emotional impact of the story.

Netflix

The project has likewise been criticized for the way it depicts Mexico, especially regarding cartel violence and the social issues existing in the country. Doubts regarding cultural authenticity entered into the broader discussion since the film was directed by the French filmmaker Audiard and had a production team mostly based outside Mexico.

Moreover, the way the film portrayed transgender identity drew additional criticism. Critics raised doubts about whether it provided Emilia with sufficient depth apart from the facts of her transition and her criminal background. These concerns helped fuel a wider debate regarding who is entitled to tell stories about marginalized groups and how such stories should be dealt with.

But that wasn’t all. Controversy related to Sofía Gascón’s past tweets further complicated the film’s awards campaign and drew attention away from its nominations. Gascón was considered to be the frontrunner in the Best Actress category at the Academy Awards and went on to win several accolades before it.

In early 2025, old social media posts that had contained offensive remarks reappeared, and this caused the actor to issue an apology, as a result of which even more attention was drawn away from the film. Not only did Gascón’s Oscar prospects take a hit, but the film’s awards-season momentum was overshadowed by the growing backlash.

The Oscars Success That Sparked a Lot of Debate

Even though there was criticism, Emilia Pérez had a spectacular run at the awards. It won the Jury Prize at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and was given 13 nominations at the 97th Academy Awards, which took place on March 2, 2025. The film eventually secured two Oscars; Saldaña was awarded Best Supporting Actress and the song El Mal, which was written by Clément Ducol, Camille and Audiard, won the prize for Best Original Song.

The fact that it had won some awards did not settle the question of the film’s general quality, since although it had been one of the films with the most nominations in the history of the Academy Awards, it had earned only a small number of victories at the ceremony. The controversy related to Sofía Gascón also made it more difficult for the film to gain awards recognition. 

Despite the film not winning the award for Best Picture, it was not universally dismissed by either critics or audiences. People have praised it for its ambition, the quality of its performances, and its readiness to take creative risks. On the other hand, its critics claim that the ambitions do not always result in a coherent or culturally sensitive film.

It is this divide that makes Emilia Pérez such a notable case during awards season. Unlike most other recent contenders, it has created such a strong contrast between industry acclaim and public criticism. Although its two Oscar victories are still part of its legacy, the question of whether the film merited that recognition is by no means settled.

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If you’ve dealt with a manipulative person, you know how hard it is to communicate with them—especially when they want something. They may engage in manipulation tactics such as gaslighting, blame-shifting, guilt-tripping and more that can cause you to feel guilty or “crazy,” for example, warping your sense of reality. You might find yourself questioning your memories or beliefs, or feeling subtly pressured into doing something you don’t want to do.

To shut down or even just handle a conversation with a manipulator, you may have tried many understandable and common responses, such as arguing with them or overexplaining yourself. Surely, if you just make that *one* point, they’ll understand, right? 

According to a psychologist, that’s actually—and unfortunately—not the case. In fact, responses like that can make the situation worse. But don’t worry: one key phrase might be more effective at shutting down a manipulator (along with some other phrases and tips) and bring the relief you’re searching for.

Ahead, a psychologist shares what that main phrase is, why it works, how to use it in different situations, why other responses don’t work (despite making sense), a list of additional helpful phrases you can use and how to keep your emotional boundaries rock-solid (it’s possible, even with high-level manipulators).

Related: If Someone Uses This ‘Firehose Strategy’ on You in an Argument, a Psychologist Says It’s High-Level Gaslighting

The 1 Phrase That Shuts Down a Manipulator Immediately

When someone is manipulating you, ask them, “Can you tell me more about what you mean?”

“When asked calmly, this question can throw off a manipulator and de-escalate an intense conversation,” explains Dr. Ashley Woodhull, PhD, a psychologist and the director of the clinical network at Octave Mental Health. “By asking this question, you are refusing to offer the emotional reaction that the manipulator is seeking.” 

She adds that this phrase helps you look calm and grounded when the manipulator wants you to respond reactively. Additionally, by asking a question, you place the burden on them. They have to explain themselves, and you don’t feel a need to get defensive.

Related: Psychologist Says the 1 Phrase That Instantly Shuts Down a Confrontational Person Isn’t What You Might Think

Why Traditional Responses—Like Arguing and Explaining—Always Fail

If you’ve responded to manipulation with justification, arguing, defensiveness or explanations, try not to beat yourself up—that’s an understandable and common response. In fact, this communication trap has an acronym and a name: JADE (or justify, argue, defend, explain). 

Further, if those communication attempts didn’t go over well, that’s not because you “didn’t do a good job.” It’s because you two have different goals.

“Manipulative people aren’t looking for a resolution; they want control,” Dr. Woodhull explains. “When you try to argue your point, you’re giving the manipulative person more ammo to use against you.”

Basically, the manipulative person baits you into feeling obligated to explain yourself, she says. Then, they argue to gain control. You begin to feel more misunderstood, which can increase your emotionality and defensiveness, putting you in an “emotional haze” and draining your energy.

“They will use your emotional reactions as leverage against you and make you feel as if you are the one at fault,” she adds.

Related: These 7 ‘Bad’ Habits Actually Signal Strong Self-Awareness, Psychologist Says

Instead, try “gray-rocking” 

Dr. Woodhull recommends responding with “gray-rocking,” a form of non-engagement, instead.

“Gray rocking means that you act as interesting as a gray rock,” she explains. “You’re supposed to be boring and ordinary instead of extraordinarily emotional. To gray-rock, make your responses brief, calm and neutral.”

Worried this response (or lack of) will make it seem like you agree? Don’t worry.

“You’re not being agreeable,” Dr. Woodhull clarifies. “You’re being a strong, rooted rock—dispassionate and immovable… It works because it removes what makes manipulative people tick: eliciting emotional responses, gathering personal information and pouncing on opportunities to prove you wrong.”

She adds a warning for people dealing with a manipulator who also has significant power. 

“Get out of that conversation,” she urges. “This isn’t the time to be polite. Prioritize your safety and well-being by putting distance between you and the manipulator.”

How To Use the Phrase in Real Life—4 Common Scenarios

Dr. Woodhull breaks down how to use the phrase even more by describing scenarios you might face.

1. When they gaslight you

The manipulative person denies they did something wrong, insisting you don’t remember correctly or imagined it. They say something like, “That never happened. You always misunderstand things or make it up in your head.” 

You respond with the golden phrase: “Can you tell me more about what you mean?”

But if they continue questioning your reality, what do you do? 

Dr. Woodhull recommends saying, “I remember the situation differently. Can you identify the specific part that you believe did not happen?” If they keep gaslighting you, say, “I will not argue about my memory. Let’s stick to the facts that can be verified.”

2. When they shift blame

Ever been blamed for something that’s not your fault? We’ve got you covered. Here, Dr. Woodhull gives the example of your dad blaming you for strained family dynamics. He might say something like, “If you did more for this family, maybe things would actually be better for all of us.”

Dr. Woodhull recommends first determining whether you want to give him the benefit of the doubt. Does he have a real request in that vague claim, or is he using blame to manipulate you?

“If he is just trying to place blame without a legitimate request or reason, stand your ground and disengage,” she advises. She encourages saying something like, “I won’t accept blame for our entire family. If you have something specific to talk about one day, we can talk then.”

3. When they play the victim or guilt-trip

When the manipulative person makes you feel guilty or plays the victim, they might say, “I guess you don’t care about me then.” 

You respond with, “Can you tell me more about what you mean?”

If they continue to guilt-trip you or imply you don’t care, Dr. Woodhull suggests saying, “Are you asking me to change my decision, or are you expressing your disappointment with the decision that was made?” Then, you may need to add, “I hear that you are feeling disappointed about my decision; however, my decision remains the same.”

4. In a professional setting/toxic workplace

A coworker just made a vague accusation against you, saying, “You are responsible for the failure of our team’s ability to communicate well.”

First, say, “Can you tell me more about what you mean?” Then, Dr. Woodhull adds, follow up by asking for concrete evidence. When did this occur? What specific instance are they referring to? Is there something specific they want you to change? 

If they remain vague, she recommends saying, “I am open to specific feedback, but cannot respond to a general statement.” If the conversation continues, you might have to add, “I will continue this conversation in email or another written form of communication so there is a clear record of your feedback and concerns.”

Related: The ‘Intermittent Kindness’ Pattern People Miss When Dealing With a Gaslighter, According to Psychologists

Backup Phrases Psychologists Recommend When Boundaries Are Pushed

When someone pushes your boundaries or tries to manipulate you, Dr. Woodhull says not to waste your time or breath. Rather than drain your energy with an explanation that won’t persuade the other person, redirect your energy into your boundaries and what you can control.

For example, you can try the broken record method. Continue to state the same thing without adding anything. This gives them less “material” to use against you.

Additionally, she shares some other phrases that can do the trick:

• “I’ve heard your position. I am not debating it.”
• “There is nothing more to explain.”
• “My decision is final.”
• “I am ending this interaction now.”
• “I will not discuss this further.”
• “This is all of the information I am sharing today.”
• “If you continue to insult me, I will end the conversation.”

Along those lines, remember that boundaries require more than just an initial assertion. “Consequences only work if you’re serious about enforcing them,” Dr. Woodhull adds.

When Words Aren’t Enough: Setting Unshakeable Emotional Boundaries

Unfortunately, setting boundaries and trying to uphold them won’t always get the job done, and that can be exhausting—and dangerous. Dr. Woodhull urges you to protect your sense of reality. 

“When you question yourself over time, you can stop trusting yourself and lose faith in your instincts,” she warns. “Guard against this by having people in your life that you trust, and work with a therapist to help you maintain your sense of reality and prevent self-doubt.”

She also advises limiting contact with the manipulative person, keeping written records if it happens in the workplace and looking out for retaliation.

Ultimately, remember you’re not doing anything wrong, even if the other person acts like you are.

“Once you have communicated your boundary clearly, you do not owe anyone an explanation,” Dr. Woodhull states. “Your consistency is the answer.”

Up Next:

Related: Psychologist Says the 1 Phrase That Instantly Shuts Down a Combative Person Isn’t What You Might Think

Source:

• Dr. Ashley Woodhull, PhD, is a psychologist and the director of the clinical network at Octave Mental Health.

For decades, the Pillsbury Bake-Off has introduced classic American recipes that have become household favorites, including Magic Marshmallow Crescent Puffs, the winning creation of Edna Walker in 1969.

Established in 1949, the competition aimed to discover the best recipes created by amateur bakers and feature the winning recipes on the brand’s flour bags, encouraging consumers to purchase one of Pillsbury’s premier products.

The first Pillsbury Bake-Off winning recipe was No-Knead Water-Rising Twists, created by Theodora Smafield of Illinois. The recipe featured a sweet, twisted yeast bread.

After several winning recipes emerged from the annual Pillsbury Bake-Off, Hopkins, Minnesota, homemaker Edna Holmgren finally qualified for the competition after several attempts of trying.

At the time, her approach marked a shift away from traditional baking methods. Walker used ready-made Pillsbury Refrigerated Crescent Dinner Rolls to create her featured entry.

Out of all the contenders, her recipe stood out, earning her a total of $25,000 in prize money.

Semi-general view of part of the 100 electric ranges and contestants hard at work in the Pillsbury Mills Grand National Bake-Off.

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Walker received $10,000 for winning the Refrigerated Fresh Dough category and an additional $15,000 after her entry was selected as the competition’s overall grand prize winner.

At the time, her winning recipe marked a major milestone in the competition’s history because it was the first Bake-Off winning recipe made with refrigerated dough.

Edna Walker’s Magic Marshmallow Crescent Puffs sparked widespread interest, prompting local home bakers to recreate her prize-winning creation.

The sudden frenzy and widespread publicity surrounding the recipe sparked such high demand for Pillsbury Refrigerated Crescent Dinner Rolls that grocery stores across the Twin Cities area completely sold out.

The 1969 winning recipe remains a favorite among home bakers, who continue to make it using a handful of ingredients and simple steps, according to Pillsbury’s official website.

Ingredients:

1. Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls
2. Marshmallows
3. Sugar
4. Flour
5. Cinnamon
6. Butter
7. Vanilla
8. Milk
9. Chopped nuts

Steps:

1. Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Mix: Stir together sugar, flour and cinnamon to make the sweet, sparkly marshmallow coating.
2. Wrap the Marshmallows: Dip each marshmallow in melted butter, then roll it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Wrap each marshmallow snugly in a crescent dough triangle, pinching the seams tightly to prevent the marshmallow from melting out during baking.
3. Butter and Bake: Grease a muffin pan well to prevent the puffs from sticking. Dip the bottom of each roll in melted butter, then place each puff in a muffin cup. Bake in a 375°F oven until the puffs are golden and fluffy.
4. Add the Glaze and Enjoy: Whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla and milk to create a glaze. Drizzle it over the warm puffs and sprinkle with chopped nuts. The result is a delightful surprise, with a hollow, caramelized center revealed in every bite. These crescent puffs are delicious straight from the oven and remain enjoyable at room temperature the next day.

Related: In 1937, Margaret Rudkin baked whole wheat bread for her asthmatic son; 24 years later she sold Pepperidge Farm to Campbell Soup for $28 million

“Everlasting Love” is a well-known song that has been covered many times by artists like Gloria Estefan, U2, Love Affair, and Carl Carlton. The song was originally a hit for Robert Knight, who recorded it in Nashville. It was released in 1967 and peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

When speaking about the song, Rebeat Mag reported that Knight said, “Buzz and Mac [the songwriters] were country artists, and I was R&B, and so I had to make it more of an R&B song. I practiced and practiced on it — it was a hard song to sing because, at the time, it was hard to sing a fast song slow. I didn’t sing it the way they had written it. I made some changes to fit my voice, and I didn’t do it note-for-note. They had the melody going too fast, and it was jamming, it wasn’t doing right, it wasn’t sounding right. So I started what you call a steady step. I start singing a beat and a half: ‘hearts-go-a-stray’ — like that. It wasn’t like that in the beginning, and I think that’s what got ‘Everlasting Love’ off the ground.”

Mac Gayden, who co-wrote the song, told Songwriting Magazine why he believes it was so popular. “It was definitely written to be catchy and singable – when we came to write the chorus, I had in mind for it to be almost like a chant. It was one of the first songs to have one of those repetitious, R&B-style chants.”

He also explained that he first came up with the melody when he was only five. “When I was just five years old, I used to play on my grandmother’s piano, and I came up with this simple little melody, almost like a lullaby, and that’s the melody that the horns and the Farfisa organ play on ‘Everlasting Love.’ I’d always known I’d use that melody somewhere along the line!”

Related: 1988 Power Ballad, Written About a Difficult Divorce, Became a No. 1 Hit With 141 Million Views on Its Music Video

Although “Everlasting Love” was Knight’s biggest hit, he had other popular songs like “Love on a Mountain Top” and “Free Me.”

Knight died in 2017 at the age of 72.

Netflix’s fan-favorite series Nobody Wants This is returning for season 3 on Oct. 22, and this upcoming season promises some major updates for Joanne (Kristen Bell) and Noah (Adam Brody). In fact, the season 3 trailer has already confirmed that these love birds have moved in together, following two seasons as they try to navigate the ups and downs due to their differing faiths—Noah being a Jewish rabbi and Joanne being agnostic.

Noah and Joanne’s on-again-off-again status wasn’t the only notable narrative arc throughout seasons 1 and 2, though. Noah’s brother, Sasha (Timothy Simons), and sister-in-law, Esther (Jackie Tohn), also called it quits in season 2, meaning that season 3 will find each of them trying to rediscover themselves as newly single people.

In addition to these beloved characters, season 3 is bringing back a number of familiar faces and introducing some brand-new ones. Here are the major characters appearing in the upcoming season.

Returning Nobody Wants This Season 3 Cast & Characters Nobody Wants This. Kristen Bell as Joanne in episode 201 of Nobody Wants This. Cr. Erin Simkin/Netflix © 2025 Kristen Bell as Joanne

Bell will be returning this season as protagonist of the show Joanne. In season 1, Joanne was introduced as a sex and relationships podcaster with a chaotic dating life and a somewhat gruff attitude—a character type Bell has played before, such as with Eleanor Shellstrop in The Good Place.

Over the course of the show, however, Joanne has grown and developed, in part because of her relationship with Noah. Over time, she has learned to be more selfless and has settled into a calmer, more stable relationship. At the end of season 2, Joanne also decided that she wants to convert to Judaism (perhaps the thing that was causing the most tension in her relationship), not for Noah but for herself.

Based on what Netflix has revealed thus far, season 3 will see even more growth for the character, including with her now moving in with Noah and, presumably, converting to Judaism.

Nobody Wants This. Adam Brody as Noah in episode 202 of Nobody Wants This. Cr. Erin Simkin/Netflix © 2025 Adam Brody as Noah

Brody plays the other primary protagonist in Nobody Wants This and the other half of the main couple, Noah. Like Joanne, Noah has come a long way since season 1. Initially, Noah was very rigid in his beliefs, not only in the religious sense but also simply in his beliefs about relationship and how he and others should behave.

Just as Noah has helped Joanne to be more selfless and open-minded, Joanne has helped Noah to relax and be a bit freer in his thinking. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in season 3 now that the two are moving in together. While season 2 certainly saw the couple on a better path, no relationship is perfect, and this new phase of their life will no doubt lead to some tensions.

Nobody Wants This. Timothy Simons as Sasha in episode 104 of Nobody Wants This. Cr. Hopper Stone/Netflix © 2024 Timothy Simons as Sasha

Whereas Noah is more serious and traditional, his brother, Sasha, is significantly goofier. Throughout seasons 1 and 2, Sasha was consistently the comedic relief, and it’s clear that he likes to have a good time. However, that goofier side hasn’t kept him from having some very serious plot points thus far, and that is clearly going to continue with season 3.

Most recently, Sasha split with his wife, Esther—and, notably, it was her idea, not his. While Esther was the one asking for the separation, though, Sasha’s situation is pretty complicated. Specifically, Sasha has been fairly openly flirting with Joanne’s sister, Morgan (Justine Lupe), since the beginning of the show, and many Nobody Wants This fans want to see them get together. Perhaps, with Esther and Sasha now split, that will happen in season 3.

Nobody Wants This. (L to R) Timothy Simons as Sasha, Jackie Tohn as Esther in episode 202 of Nobody Wants This. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2025 Jackie Tohn as Esther

Comedian Jackie Tohn has already been hilarious in Nobody Wants This, but season 3 may really prove to be her time to shine. Thus far, Esther has seemed quite restricted in her relationship, and it’s been increasingly clear that she’s unhappy, culminating in her wanting a separation from Sasha at the end of season 2.

Now, heading into season 3, Esther will likely be able to shine in her own right, meaning that viewers might be getting to see a completely new side of her character. Given that she’s already an incredibly popular character, this change seems primed to make her even more of a fan favorite (and, hopefully, this will also mean getting to see more of Tohn’s sense of humor shine through).

Nobody Wants This. Justine Lupe as Morgan in episode 105 of Nobody Wants This. Cr. Adam Rose/Netflix © 2024 Justine Lupe as Morgan

Although Noah, Joanne, Esther and Sasha are all among the main cast of characters in Nobody Wants This, it isn’t just the romantic partners who are a major focus of the show. Rather, Joanne’s sister, Morgan, is also a key character, and she has been especially interesting to watch as Joanne has become slightly more reserved and serious.

At the beginning of the show, Morgan and Joanne were basically two peas in a pod, both navigating the difficult dating scene and having the best hilarious stories to tell on their shared podcast. However, as Joanne’s life has changed, it’s been clear that Morgan has struggled somewhat to sort out her new place in Joanne’s life as well as what she wants for herself. In season 3, it’s likely that her story will focus on that as well as on her potential romance with Sasha.

Joining Noah, Joanne, Morgan, Esther and Sasha are a host of other returning supporting characters, including Noah and Joanne’s parents. Noah’s parents, Bina and Ilan, are played by Tovah Feldshuh and Paul Ben-Victor, and Joanne’s parents, Lynn and Henry, are played by Stephanie Faracy and Michael Hitchcock.

New Nobody Wants This Season 3 Cast & Characters NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Andrew Rannells attends the “A Journal For Jordan” World Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on December 09, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Andrew Rannells as Sebastien

Tudum describes Nobody Wants This newcomer Sebastien as “Joanne’s nemesis in conversion class,” suggesting that Sebastien and Joanne will meet as Joanne is enrolled in a course to officially convert to Judaism. What it means that he will be Joanne’s “nemesis” is anyone’s guess for now, although given Joanne’s sassy and sarcastic antics, Andrew Rannells is sure to be a hilarious addition to the larger cast.

Photo by Chris Weeks/FilmMagic

Sarah Silverman as Rabbi Eden

The same Tudum article describes Sarah Silverman’s Rabbi Eden as “the warm, quirky teacher of an Intro to Judaism class, and a supportive presence for Joanne and Noah.” Presumably, this means that Rabbi Eden will be taking on a mentor role for Joanne as she works towards conversion, although it will be interesting to see what sort of support Joanne and Noah will end up needing from her. However, with Silverman’s star power, there’s little doubt that Rabbi Eden will prove to be a standout.

Erin Foster

Photo credit: David Roemer

Erin Foster as Nicole

Nobody Wants This creator Erin Foster herself will be making an appearance in season 3, with Tudum describing her character, Nicole, as “a terminally single, chaotic and somewhat messy person…She’s Joanne if everything had gone wrong in her life.” So far, that’s all that has been revealed about this brand-new character, but just by the description, it sounds like she will be a fascinating addition and no doubt create some hilarious drama.

Additional new cast members include, as outlined by Tudum:

• Keyla Monterroso Mejia as Amber: “A single woman enrolled in Joanne’s Intro to Judaism class who is obsessed with finding a Jewish husband.”
• Avan Jogia as Travis: “A confident and unbothered guys’ guy who enjoys getting under Joanne’s skin.”
• Poorna Jagannathan as Eleanor: “Sebastien’s brassy and biting aunt.”
• Sadie Sandler as Denise: “A young psychic who gives a reading to Morgan.”
• Stephanie Koenig as Poppy: “An incredibly upbeat woman who goes on a date with Sasha.”
• Steven Weber as Julian: “A funny, grounded, cool and secure divorced dad.”

Nobody Wants This season 3 arrives on Netflix on Oct. 22, and all ten episodes will be released at the same time.

Fortune Feimster’s mother is looking for new treatment options after her cancer stopped responding to treatment.

The comedian shared the difficult update on Instagram Saturday, October 17, reposting a message her mother, Ginger Feimster, had written on Facebook.

“All treatments have been stopped, because my cancer-Cholangiocarcinoma-isn’t responding to any of them,” her mother wrote. She said the family is seeking help identifying clinical trials that may fit her medical criteria and consulting with cancer specialists at several hospitals. She also shared that her records are being sent to Duke for review.

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In the caption, Fortune wrote: “This is from my mom. Her cancer has spread all over her liver so they have stopped all of her treatments. The doctor recommended she find a trial if possible. So if anyone knows of any cholangiocarcinoma trials, here’s the info. Obviously time is of the essence.”

In a follow-up Instagram Story, the 46-year-old said her mother has tried two types of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and Y-90 treatment. She also said her mom has not been eligible for surgery because of the number of tumors.

A screenshot of Fortune Feimster’s Instagram Story on October 18.

Fortune thanked people who have reached out with information. But after some followers suggested she leave her current tour to be with her mom, Fortune asked them to let her make that decision. “I am with my mom all the time; more than everybody and have been for two years,” she wrote, adding that she has four weekends of shows left.

The actress said performing gives her a break from the sadness, alongside time with family and loved ones. She also emphasized that she and her mom are spending quality time together and have “no regrets.” Her Stories mentioned other changes in her life as well, including finalizing her divorce with Jacquelyn “Jax” Smith and saying goodbye to her elderly dog, who is alive and staying in another state.

Fortune shared her mother Ginger’s diagnosis in May 2025, saying she had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a type of bile duct cancer. At the time, she described it as rare and aggressive.

C.C. DeVille sounds like a rock star’s name—and that was the point. The Poison guitarist became one of the defining faces of ’80s hair metal with his spiky blond hair, flamboyant style and high-voltage guitar solos. But before he helped power the band behind hits like “Talk Dirty to Me” and “Nothin’ But a Good Time,” the Brooklyn native was known by a much more everyday name: Bruce Anthony Johannesson. His transformation into C.C. DeVille gave him a stage identity that fit the larger-than-life world of Poison, where the image was almost as unforgettable as the music.

How Bruce Johannesson Became C.C. DeVille @liveguitarsolos

CC Deville solo Poison LIVE 2003 #gitaris #chitarra #غيتار #Guitare #기타 #吉他 #ギター #Gitara #Gitaar #Gitarre #Gitarr #Kytara #гитара #Kitara #guitarra #gibsonguitars #gibsonlespaul #ccdeville #gitarist #bluesguitar #poisonband #instaguitar #telecaster #ibanez #guitarshred #guitarsolo #prs

♬ original sound – Live Guitar Solos

The name C.C. DeVille is commonly associated with the Cadillac Coupe de Ville, a classic American car whose name suited the guitarist’s flashy rock-star image. The story is often repeated as an example of how a stage name can help create a persona, although accounts do not consistently establish that the Cadillac was his favorite car or definitively explain how he chose the name.

The contrast between Johannesson and DeVille captures the transformation. Poison embraced the excess and spectacle that helped define the hair metal scene: big hair, bold clothes, theatrical performances and guitar solos made for the MTV era. DeVille looked and sounded the part, bringing a flamboyant presence to a band whose identity was built around having a good time.

Though he is professionally known as C.C. DeVille, biographical references continue to identify Bruce Anthony Johannesson as his birth name. His stage name became the one fans recognized, illustrating how a performer’s public identity can take on a life of its own.

Related: Colin Farrell Stars in 2008 Thriller Roger Ebert Called ‘Ingenious’ Now It’s Named the Best Hitman Movie Ever

How C.C. DeVille Helped Define Poison’s Sound @spoileralerteveryonedies

Cc deville highlight reel

♬ original sound – Sun Spoiler

DeVille joined Poison in the early 1980s, completing the lineup that would go on to become one of the signature acts of the hair metal era. His guitar work helped drive songs including “Talk Dirty to Me,” “I Want Action” and “Nothin’ But a Good Time,” pairing catchy hooks with the energetic, showy playing that made the band a fixture of late-’80s rock.

Poison’s appeal went beyond the music. The band’s colorful image, party-ready songs and theatrical performances made it a natural fit for an era when MTV helped turn rock musicians into visual icons. DeVille was part of that appeal, with a style that made him instantly recognizable alongside frontman Bret Michaels and the rest of the group.

His story also points to why stage names matter in music. A name can distinguish an artist, reinforce a carefully built image and give fans something memorable to attach to the music. In DeVille’s case, the name became part of the showmanship that helped define Poison—and a lasting piece of hair metal history.

Related: 1985 Synth Hit Sung by Husband and Wife Duo From Portland Featuring Wine Bottles as Percussion Named One of the Best One-Hit Wonders of the Decade

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Target is now selling a set of glass mixing bowls that are giving Pyrex-level quality for less. They’re easy to store, even easier to use and perfect for a variety of kitchen tasks.

Figimint’s 8-Piece Glass Mixing Bowls With Lids Set is perfect for meal prep, serving and food storage. The set comes with eight pieces total, including:

• One four-quart bowl with lid
• One 2.5-quart bowl with lid
• One 1.5-quart bowl with lid
• One one-quart bowl with lid

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Figmint 8-Piece (Set of 4) Glass Mixing Bowls With Lids, $22 at Target

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Each bowl has a lid in a different color for quick, easy identification. The multiple colors also add a pop of vibrancy to food storage, which is just plain fun if you ask me. What’s more, these lids fit nicely and securely on their glass counterparts, keeping their contents fresh. Just remove the lids if you’re using the microwave!

This practical glass mixing bowl set is also dishwasher-safe and freezer-safe, only adding to its convenience. And when not in use, these bowls nestle neatly together. You really can’t go wrong with this set.

Related: Kohl’s Collapsible Dish Rack Is Made for Small Kitchens With Limited Counter Space

What the Reviews Say

Overall, shoppers are loving this glass mixing bowl set, giving it an average rating of 4.5 stars on Target.com, with 66 percent of reviewers saying they would recommend it to others.

“Compact and stylish food prep and storage,” wrote one fan in a five-star review on Target.com. “These Figmint storage bowls are the best! They don’t waste an inch of precious storage space be perfectly nesting in each other. Also, the silicone lids fit snugly, so I don’t have to worry about liquids spilling when I store wet ingredients. I also really like the colors of the lids, they’re fresh and modern and make my kitchen look fun.”

“This set is so heavy it is made of a very thick glass material. I like the variety in the sizes of all of the bowls and each one of them comes with their own cover, which makes it really easy to store leftovers. It really helps you to prep by mixing things together that you can store and use at a later time. Great for marinating meat,” said another happy Target customer in a five-star review on Target.com.

You can order this eight-piece glass mixing bowl set from Target.com or find it in select stores. It retails for $22.

Related: Aldi’s Sophisticated $10 Cordless Lamps Bring a Cozy Glow to Any Room

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It’s not too early to get started on holiday planning. How can it be, when there are so many cute pieces of decor already catching our attention? That’s definitely the case with the Martha Stewart Gingerbread House Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, a darling duo that will undoubtedly put you in a more festive mood the moment it arrives.

Right now it’s an excellent deal at Wayfair, reduced from its usual $35 to only $27. That’s a great price for such a charming addition to your holiday setup! Just like real gingerbread houses, they’re decked out in snowy icing — and they’ll helpfully keep your salt and pepper within easy reach all season long.

Martha Stewart Gingerbread House Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, $27 (was $35) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

Shop at Wayfair

This set’s details are truly impressive, with the “frosting” trim contrasting with the soft brown hue. A jolly wreath hangs from each door, finished with a delicate bough of holly in bright green and red. Even the shingles on the respective rooftops are meticulously outlined. Arched doorways and windows, delicate scrollwork, and snow-capped chimneys complete the design.

Filling them up is easy. Just remove the rubber stopper at the base, pour in your salt and pepper, and press it closed. The seasonings flow through discreet openings in the chimney tops, which are slightly raised to create gingerbread houses that look real. That authenticity only adds to the nostalgic appeal.

It’s the retro aesthetic that makes this set such a sweet addition to your festivities. There are few things more emblematic of the season than gingerbread, and there’s an old-world charm about these that gives them an heirloom quality. They have a beautiful glazed sheen, with an appearance that suggests they’ve been lovingly passed down for generations. Plus, they’re easy to clean with occasional hand-washing to preserve the integrity of the colors.

Related: Martha Stewart’s ‘Beautiful’ Tufted Linen Ottoman Exudes ‘Expensive’ Farmhouse Charm, Now 64% Off

Shoppers all agree that the set is as sweet in person as it appears on screen. They’re “adorable,” according to one reviewer who added that the pair is “high quality.” Another person added that they’re so “fun and cute.” 

Shop More Martha Stewart Deals

• Martha Stewart Printed Cotton Percale Sheet Set, $53 (was $117) at Wayfair
• Martha Stewart Eden Gold Leaf Mirror, $97 (was $210) at Wayfair
• Martha Stewart Ceramic Mug 4-Piece Set, $34 (was $37) at Wayfair

Sometimes adding something new to the mix is all you need to “shake up” the season! Don’t miss the chance to add the Martha Stewart Gingerbread House Salt and Pepper Shaker Set to your own festivities while it’s still in stock and on sale at Wayfair.

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

“Listen To Your Heart” was a 1988 song from the Swedish duo Roxette, which consisted of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle. The song rose all the way to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also a top 10 hit in the UK, the Netherlands, and France.

As reported by SongFacts, Gessle spoke to Billboard about the inspiration for the song, saying, “That’s one of the rare occasions when I wrote the story about a very good friend of mine who went through a difficult divorce. We sat up all night discussing his problem. When it went to number one in the States, I got this fax from him telling me, ‘Hey, it’s great – you and me and Marie are number one in America!'”

The song became so popular that Gissle told Metro, “I was in an airport in New York last year, showing my passport at customs. The official asked what I did, I said I was a songwriter, and he said, ‘Oh yeah, have you done anything I might have heard of?’ I said: ‘I’ve done this one,’ because ‘Listen To Your Heart’ was playing over the speakers at the same time.”

When speaking about the creation of the song, Gessle called it “The Big Bad Ballad.” He said, “This is us trying to recreate that overblown American FM-Rock sound to the point where it almost becomes absurd. We really wanted to see how far we could take it.”

Related: 1990 No. 1 Song From British Rock Band EMF Named Among ‘100 Greatest One Hit Wonders’

Fredriksson added, “It sounds a bit dusty today, but it was our second #1 in the US.” He went on to speak about the music video accompanying the song, saying, “The video was great. Shot with an American crew at the Borgholm Castle. The director thought we had built the ruin just for the video.”

Roxette had many other popular songs throughout the years, including “One Wish,” “The Look,” and “Dressed for Success.” Gessle, who is now 67, is still performing to this day. Unfortunately, Fredriksson died in 2019 at the age of 61.

You may have seen a speech-language pathologist if you were a “late talker” or needed some extra help pronouncing letters as a child. If not, you likely know someone who got to leave class for speech therapy once a week (and came back with cool stickers and candy). But SLPs can support you and your loved ones at every age and stage.

“A running joke in the field is when SLPs walk into a patient’s room and are met with an annoyed “My speech is just fine!'” Michelle Retsky, M.S. CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist & clinic director at Words in Motion Therapy, tells Parade. “My very short explanation of my job is ‘anything lungs up.'”

That includes how you breathe and even how you swallow. Retsky says many factors can negatively affect your airway safety (and, for that matter, communication clarity). Progressive dementias, strokes, brain injuries and neuromuscular disorders (like ALS) are some of the better-known reasons why someone might have trouble talking, breathing or swallowing. However, Retsky points out that even UTIs can cause confusion, and SLPs can help with therapy for the aging person (and even strategies for the caregiver).

“Cognitive decline, language breakdowns and swallowing dysfunction directly impact an older adult’s health, safety, independence and overall quality of life,” Retsky says.

Unfortunately, one flag that an older adult is having problems swallowing is often overlooked. Retsky identified an early sign of swallowing trouble that many families miss in aging parents, along with what to do if you notice it.

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‘The Early Sign of Swallowing Trouble I Wish Families Didn’t Miss in Aging Parents’

Retsky says coughing during meals is an early sign of swallowing issues that many people miss in aging family members. Coughing during meals is common, but it’s not necessarily normal. It’s an involuntary reflex—we cough to keep foreign objects out of our lungs.

“Foreign material—even if it is your own saliva—introduces bacteria into the lungs, which can lead to pneumonia,” Retsky says.

She adds that healthy individuals have some safeguards to keep their airways safe, such as:

• The epiglottis folds down (a small elastic cartilage above the voice box and behind the tongue)
• The vocal folds close (the more contemporary term for vocal cords)
• The larynx elevates (you may know it as a “voice box”)

“If something is preventing this system from working to protect the lungs, coughing is the reflex that steps in as a last resort,” Retsky explains. “Our bodies are complex systems, so it is normal for something to go wrong for a variety of reasons and let out a cough occasionally, but when it is a common occurrence during meals, it is a concern.”

She adds that coughing isn’t always a swallowing problem, and sometimes it’s just chance.

“It is important to keep perspective: We can swallow 1,000 times in a day,” Retsky reports. “An occasional cough or throat clear can be completely normal.”

Whoa! Besides chance and swallowing issues, a person may cough during eating because of:

• GERD
• COPD
• Asthma
• Medications, like ACE inhibitors

“A cough due to a swallowing issue has a direct link to the act of swallowing. It can occur during a bite or within a few seconds of swallowing,” Retsky says. “Clinical markers include a gurgly vocal quality after drinking, needing to swallow multiple times, throat clearing during meals or food or water on the lips.”

Related: That Cough Has Been Hanging Around for Weeks—Here’s the Point When Doctors Want To Hear About It

What To Do if You Notice Swallowing Issues in Aging Family Members

Retsky says it’s important not to ignore regular coughing during eating in aging parents.

“If someone is coughing during meals often, the family should notify the primary care physician to secure a referral for a Speech-Language Pathology swallowing evaluation,” she says. “Unsupervised diet modifications can worsen residue or increase choking hazards.”

Other signs of swallowing trouble to flag include:

• A “wet” or “gurgly” post-swallow voice
• Keeping food in the mouth
• Longer meal times
• Unexplained low-grade fevers
• Recurrent respiratory infections

Retsky says these can signal objects being “pooled” in the vocal folds, weak swallowing muscles and other swallowing-related issues an SLP may be able to help with.

Related: The Habit to Stop by 50 to Lower Your Risk of Osteoporosis, According to Endocrinologists

How SLPs Help People With Swallowing Issues

Retsky says that speech-language therapy typically begins with a clinical bedside evaluation and may order more detailed assessments as needed. Here’s what the process might look like for your aging parent with swallowing issues:

• Evaluation: During this assessment, SLPs look at factors such as vocal quality (e.g., wetness or gurgling), reflexive cough timing (coughing keeps food out of the lungs) and oral bolus clearance (it’s easier to inhale food if it gets stuck in the mouth) in various food textures and how thick/thin/sticky something is.
• Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (often also called the Modified Barium Swallow): This study uses imagery to help clinicians see where the food/water goes in the body. “If all is well, everything will go down the esophagus into the stomach,” Retsky says. “The epiglottis is what blocks food from going into the lungs, and you can physically see it working and moving with this method.”
•  Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES): SLPs use a camera to visualize your pharynx (the tube that connects the nasal cavity and mouth to the esophagus and larynx). “A camera goes from your nose to your pharynx to allow clinicians to see how the structures of the throat are moving and if there is any pooling of food and saliva by the vocal folds,” she explains.

Help is available. Retsky says SLPs can work with your aging parent on personalized treatment plans to rebuild swallowing muscle strength and compensate for weaknesses, making swallowing safer. They may also adjust the diet at first, including food texture and liquid thickness, for safety purposes.

Up Next:

Related: Geriatricians Are Begging Families To Do This as It Gets Dark Earlier

Sources:

• Michelle Retsky, M.S. CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist & clinic director at Words in Motion Therapy
• Urinary Tract Infection Induced Delirium in Elderly Patients: A Systematic Review. Cureus.
• A framework for understanding shared substrates of airway protection. JAOS.
• Evaluation of Spontaneous Swallow Frequency in Healthy People and Those With, or at Risk of Developing, Dysphagia: A Review. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine.
• Drug-Induced Cough. Physiology Research.

When Nigella Lawson walks around the Great British Baking Show tent and takes a large, enthusiastic bite of a contestant’s chocolate cake, most people see a woman who loves food. What they’re actually watching is someone who learned early and painfully what it looks like when you can’t eat.

Her mother Vanessa died of liver cancer in 1985 when Nigella was 25. Then in 1993 her sister Thomasina died of breast cancer at 32. Then, in 1997, her first husband, John Diamond, was diagnosed with throat cancer. The disease eventually took his tongue, his epiglottis, and his ability to swallow. He died on March 2, 2001, at 47. While he was sick, Diamond wrote his own cancer memoir — C: Because Cowards Get Cancer Too — about what it felt like to watch his body stop working.

Nigella was writing How to Eat. He was documenting the loss of food. She was writing a love letter to it. She’s revealed what those years were really like. “It was part of holding onto my sanity,” she said, “when my husband couldn’t eat because he had oral cancer.” She chose to keep cooking for herself even when it would’ve been easier not to. “Cooking for myself became a very important way that I found both physical and emotional sustenance.” He told her to keep going.

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It was Diamond who’d first told her she should write about cooking. She did. How to Eat came out in 1998 while he was sick. The book sold 300,000 copies, and it’s still in print.

None of this is the biography of a trained chef. Nigella studied medieval languages at Oxford. She became a book reviewer, then a restaurant critic, then deputy literary editor of the Sunday Times. She came to food sideways through grief and writing and a dinner party where she watched a host cry over an unset crème caramel and thought: this shouldn’t be this hard. She wrote in the preface to How to Eat: “I am not a chef. I am not even a trained or professional cook.” She became one of the most beloved food personalities in the world anyway.

Now she’s the new judge on The Great British Baking Show — Season 17 streaming on Netflix now — replacing Prue Leith after 9 seasons. And within days of her debut, the conversation wasn’t about her expertise or her warmth or the way she’s already making the judging more interesting than it’s been in years. It was about her bites. Social media was filled with videos mocking how enthusiastically she tasted the bakers’ creations. When she asked Paul Hollywood how he managed to judge so many bakes in one sitting, he told her to take smaller mouthfuls. Her response: “I realized no, I couldn’t.”

“We Need to Take Our Pleasures Where We Can”

She’s also shown she won’t be quieted on the bigger question. Prue Leith spent 9 seasons describing bakes as “worth the calories” or “not worth the calories” and treating dessert as something that needed to justify its own existence. Nigella shut that framing down in her second episode. When Hollywood described a cookie as “quite indulgent and naughty” while judging contestant Molly’s chocolate hazelnut cookie, Nigella cut him off. “I don’t approve of talking about food as naughty,” she said. “We need to take our pleasures where we can in life.”

That line lands differently in 2026. Millions of people are injecting themselves with GLP-1 medications specifically to quiet what’s been called “food noise” — the natural human impulse to want and enjoy eating. Nigella doesn’t just hear the food noise. She hears a symphony. She wrote it plainly in her 2020 cookbook Cook Eat Repeat: “No one should feel guilty about what they eat or the pleasure they get from eating.”

On her 60th birthday, she wrote that she’d found her 49th the hardest — because her mother had died at 48 and she felt like “a traitor” for outliving her. “When you have seen people you love die young,” she wrote, “the idea of complaining about getting older is just revolting.” Her first daughter is named Cosima Thomasina. Thomasina died 10 days before she was born. That’s the kind of thing that changes how you eat.

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Matthew McConaughey is making a case for Americans to break free from the two-party system, but some fans aren’t convinced his push for independent candidates is what the country needs right now.

The Oscar-winning actor took to Instagram to share a video arguing that independent candidates could force Democrats and Republicans to work together, particularly as the 2026 midterm elections approach. However, his message quickly drew criticism from commenters who believe the stakes are too high to risk splitting votes.

“The truth of it is, we don’t know how many independents would vote for a true independent, organized, funded, owned by neither side, because no one has ever given us one,” McConaughey said in the video.

He argued that even a small group of independent lawmakers could wield significant power in a closely divided Congress, forcing both parties to compromise rather than push legislation toward their respective extremes.

“I’m not telling you who to vote for,” the actor explained. “I’m telling you to look at your ballot, study up, see if they represent you, what you believe in.”

McConaughey also referenced the Independent Leadership Council, launched by former Sen. Joe Manchin and his daughter, Heather, to recruit and support independent congressional candidates. He clarified that he wasn’t endorsing the organization, but rather the idea of giving voters another option.

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Still, some Instagram commenters pushed back, arguing that supporting independent candidates could have consequences in an election they view as particularly consequential.

“You’re one of my favorite strangers, and I don’t agree with the two-party system, but this is not the year or season to preach this,” one commenter wrote, before arguing that the current political climate makes the choice feel like “survival.”

Another commenter echoed that sentiment, writing, “Not this time. Too much at risk.”

Others were more direct in their opposition. “I was like WTF, not the time to push the independent vote,” one person wrote in a reply to another commenter.

Not everyone disagreed with McConaughey, however. Some praised his call for a political alternative, with one supporter writing, “Independent and GREEN count!!!” Another thanked the actor for speaking out, saying, “We want peace in the United States. No anarchy. Independent.”

The mixed response highlights the dilemma at the heart of McConaughey’s message: While some voters want an alternative to the established parties, others fear that breaking from the two-party system could come at a cost in November.