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15 healthiest dog foods

Invigorate your journey to optimal health with these wellness-enhancing colostrum supplements.

Close-up of a black pug with wide eyes and a slightly wrinkled face against a gray background.

Editor's Note: Upworthy earns a percentage of revenue from items purchased on this list.

In the quest for optimal canine well-being, selecting the right nourishment is paramount. With the pet food market expanding rapidly, it's crucial to make informed choices. Astonishingly, around 56% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese, underscoring the significance of a wholesome diet. Furthermore, considering that pet owners spend approximately $31 billion on dog food annually, the stakes are high for both our four-legged companions' health and our wallets. In this article, we unveil a comprehensive guide to the 15 healthiest dog foods, equipping you with the knowledge to prioritize your dog's vitality and longevity.

15 healthies dog foods

Pupper Fuel Dog Fuel

White "Pupper Fuel" dog food bag on a blue background.

As a pet parent, ensuring your furry friend receives the highest quality nutrition is essential. When it comes to finding the healthiest dog food available, Pupper Fuel Dog Fuel stands out as an excellent option. Made with all-natural ingredients and free from fillers commonly found in other brands, this food is designed to provide a balanced and complete diet for dogs of all breeds and sizes. Whether you have a young pup or an aging senior dog, Pupper Fuel Dog Fuel offers a range of options to meet your furry friend's nutritional needs. Give your dog the gift of exceptional health with Pupper Fuel Dog Fuel.

Sundays Air Dried Food for Dogs

Bright blue dog food box labeled "Sundays" with a white bowl of kibble.

If you're on the hunt for the healthiest dog food for your furry friend, you might want to consider trying Sunday's air-dried food for dogs. This unique method of preserving food works by gently removing moisture from the ingredients without the use of preservatives or high heat. As a result, the food retains more of its natural nutrients and enzymes, which can benefit your dog's overall health. Sundays offers a variety of protein options, including beef, fish, and turkey, all of which are sourced from responsible suppliers. Plus, because the food is air-dried, it's lightweight and easy to store, making it a convenient option for busy pet owners. Give Sundays a try and see the difference it can make for your furry best friend.

Fruits N Beggies Superfood Meal Topper

Green bag of "Fruit N' Beggies" superfood meal topper for pets with fruit illustrations.

Fruits N Beggies Superfood Meal Topper is a nutritious addition to your dog's diet. Made from a blend of fresh fruits and vegetables, this meal topper is packed with essential nutrients that will keep your furry friend healthy and happy. If you're looking for the healthiest dog food, look no further than Fruits N Beggies Superfood Meal Topper. This product is a great way to boost your dog's immune system, improve their digestive health, and keep their skin and coat in top condition. Plus, it's easy to use – simply sprinkle a small amount on top of your dog's regular food and watch as they devour it! Try Fruits N Beggies Superfood Meal Topper today and give your dog the gift of good health.

Badlands Ranch Superfood Complete Premium Air Dried Dog Food

Badlands Ranch dog food bags on a kitchen counter with a dog image.

Badlands Ranch Superfood Complete Premium Air Dried Dog Food is an excellent choice for pet owners who are looking for the healthiest dog food for their furry friends. This product is packed with superfoods, essential vitamins, and minerals that provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all ages and breeds. What sets this premium dog food apart is that it is air-dried, which means that the nutrients are preserved and the natural flavors and textures of the ingredients are maintained. This process ensures that your dog gets all the health benefits of the ingredients, including improved digestion, a stronger immune system, and healthier skin and coat. Overall, Badlands Ranch Superfood Complete Premium Air Dried Dog Food is an outstanding option for pet owners who prioritize their dog's health and well-being.

Instinct Raw Boost Skin & Coat Health Grain - Free Recipe

Instinct Raw Boost dog food, high-protein kibble with raw, grain-free, for skin and coat.

Introducing Instinct Raw Boost Skin & Coat Health Grain - Free Recipe – the ultimate choice for pet owners who prioritize their dog's good health. Developed with premium ingredients, this formula packs essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins that are vital for your dog's overall well-being. Made with 70% raw animal ingredients and oils to support a lustrous coat and healthy skin, you can trust that every bowl of Instinct Raw Boost Skin & Coat Health Grain-Free Recipe is packed with the right nutrients for your pup. Say goodbye to artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives; this is the healthiest dog food on the market that will leave your dog with an irresistible taste and a shiny coat to show off!

Earth Animal Wisdom Air Dried Dog Food

Earth Animal Air-Dried Chicken Recipe dog food package, 2 lbs.

As pet owners, we all want to provide our furry friends with the best possible nutrition to help them live a happy and healthy life. That's why Earth Animal Wisdom Air Dried Dog Food has become a popular choice for many dog owners who are seeking the healthiest dog food options. Made with high-quality, human-grade ingredients, this air-dried dog food is packed with essential nutrients and free from harmful additives. Not only is it a great source of protein and fiber, but it's also easy to digest, making it a fantastic option for dogs with digestive issues. This innovative air-drying process locks in vital nutrients, creating a delicious and nutritious meal that your dog will love. By choosing Earth Animal Wisdom Air Dried Dog Food, you can rest assured that you're providing your beloved pet with a healthy and balanced diet.

Red Barn Whole Grain Land Recipe Dog Food

As a dog owner, you always want to provide the best nutrition for your furry friend. And when it comes to choosing the healthiest dog food, Red Barn Whole Grain Land Recipe certainly deserves a spot on your list. Made with real turkey as the first ingredient and paired with whole grains, this dog food formula is designed to provide a balanced and nutritious meal for your pup. It also contains an array of fruits and vegetables, including peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, and cranberries, to give your dog a variety of essential vitamins and minerals. With Red Barn Whole Grain Land Recipe, you can trust that you are feeding your dog a quality food option that is crafted with their health in mind.

Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend Essential Wellness Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food

Dr. Marty Nature's Blend dog food bag, showcasing kibble and fresh ingredients.

As a dog owner, you want the best for your furry friend when it comes to their nutrition. It's no secret that dogs thrive on a raw diet, but finding high-quality raw food can be a challenge. Luckily, Dr. Marty Nature's Blend Essential Wellness Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food is available. This premium dog food formula is an excellent choice for pet owners who want to provide their dogs with the healthiest dog food possible. With real, raw ingredients sourced from trusted, local farms, Dr. Marty's Nature's Blend is packed with the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrition that dogs need to stay healthy and happy. Plus, the freeze-drying process preserves the ingredients' natural goodness, making it a convenient and easy-to-prepare option for busy pet owners. If you're looking for a top-quality, all-natural dog food that supports your pet's health and wellness, look no further than Dr. Marty's Nature's Blend.

Stella & Chewy’s Superblends Raw Blend

Red bag of Stella & Chewy's SuperBlends dog food with chicken and duck.

When it comes to feeding our furry friends, every pet parent wants to provide them with the best nutrition possible. That's exactly why Stella & Chewy's Superblends Raw Blend has made such a mark in the pet food industry. This particular brand of dog food has been praised as one of the healthiest options on the market today. Made from premium raw ingredients, they give our dogs the essential nutrients they need to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. With its unique blend of fruits, vegetables, and high-quality meat, it's no surprise that many owners trust Stella & Chewy's Superblends Raw Blend as their go-to dog food option.

EasyRaw Grass Fed Dehydrated Dog Food

Dog food bag for EasyRaw Grass-Fed Beef & Sweet Potato, 2 lbs, by Only Natural Pet.

As a responsible pet owner, you want nothing but the best for your furry companion. And when it comes to their diet, nothing is more important than choosing the healthiest dog food possible. EasyRaw Grass-Fed Dehydrated Dog Food is a fantastic option for those looking for a nutrient-packed meal for their canine pal. Made with high-quality grass-fed meat and organic fruits and vegetables, this dehydrated dog food is packed with essential vitamins and minerals that will keep your dog happy and healthy. Plus, it's incredibly easy to prepare and store, making it a convenient choice for busy pet owners. Give your dog the best start possible with EasyRaw Grass-Fed Dehydrated Dog Food.

Kibble of the Sea Dog Food

Dog food bag labeled "Kibble of the Sea" with playful illustrations.

Choosing a high-quality dog food is essential in keeping your four-legged friend healthy and happy. When looking for the healthiest option, consider Kibble of the Sea Dog Food. This premium dog food is packed with wholesome ingredients, such as real seafood and vegetables, that are essential for your dog's overall well-being. Plus, it is free from artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors that could lead to health problems down the line. Not only does Kibble of the Sea provide a balanced and nutritious diet for your furry companion, but it also helps support their immune system and promotes healthy skin and fur. Give your dog the best start in life with Kibble of the Sea Dog Food - a food that prioritizes their health and wellness above all else.

PetKind Dog Food

PetKind canned dog food with duck flavor, 13 oz. Grain-free and natural ingredients.

When it comes to feeding our furry friends, we all want the best for them. That is precisely why PetKind Dog Food has been making waves in the pet industry for its wholesome and nutritious offerings. Not only are their formulas made with high-quality ingredients, but they are also free from any harmful additives or fillers. PetKind's philosophy is based on the belief that what goes into your pet's body can significantly impact their health and well-being. That is why they use only the healthiest, most nutritious ingredients in their dog food formulations. With options like Wild Pacific Fish and Green Tripe, your furry friend will be getting the best of the best when it comes to their diet. Invest in PetKind Dog Food, and give your furry friend the gift of good health.

Zignature Salmon Limited Ingredient Formula Dry Food

Zignature Salmon Formula dog food bag with vibrant fish imagery.

As a dog owner, there's nothing more important than ensuring your furry friend is happy and healthy. For many pet parents, selecting the healthiest dog food is a top priority. That's where Zignature Salmon Limited Ingredient Formula Dry Food comes in. Made with high-quality salmon as the first ingredient, this formula is ideal for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. Its limited ingredients ensure that it is easy on your dog's digestive system, while also providing essential nutrients and promoting healthy digestion. Choosing the right dog food can be overwhelming, but with Zignature Salmon Limited Ingredient Formula Dry Food, you can feel confident knowing that you are providing your beloved pet with a healthy and satisfying meal.

ACANA Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Dry Dog Food

Acana Singles Lamb & Apple dog food bag, 65% grass-fed lamb, limited ingredient diet.

ACANA Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is widely considered one of the healthiest dog foods out there. Made with high-quality protein sources and nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, this formula meets all of your dog's essential nutritional needs while limiting the number of ingredients they consume. This makes it an excellent choice for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. Additionally, the grain-free formula ensures that your pup isn't consuming any unnecessary fillers that could lead to weight gain or digestive upset. Packed with vitamins and minerals, ACANA Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a great option for those looking to give their furry friend the best possible nutrition.

Grandma Lucy’s Freeze Dried Dog Food

Dry pet food with grains and dried vegetables in a round bowl.

Looking for the healthiest dog food brand around? Grandma Lucy’s Freeze Dried Dog Food is definitely worth considering. Made using the freshest meats and vegetables, it contains no fillers, by-products, or artificial additives that could harm your furry friend. If you’re looking for quality protein sources, wholesome fibers, and all-natural ingredients, look no further than Grandma Lucy’s Freeze Dried Dog Food. With this brand, you can rest easy knowing that your furry companion is getting the best possible nutrition and that your beloved pet is enjoying a happy and healthy life. So why not give it a shot and see the difference?

In crafting a roadmap to canine vitality, it's evident that the choices we make regarding our pets' diets reverberate profoundly. As the demand for healthier options grows, it's heartening to note that organic dog food sales have surged by 39% in the past year alone, reflecting a shift towards more mindful nutrition. Conversely, the prevalence of food allergies in dogs has risen by approximately 30% over the last decade, signifying the urgency of well-informed dietary decisions. Nourishing our beloved companions with the 15 healthiest dog foods not only safeguards their well-being but also contributes to a paradigm where quality nutrition reigns supreme, ultimately paving the way for happier, healthier tails that wag with exuberance.

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NAPA

Check out the new NAPA TradeWear collection

Education

NAPA is launching a free merch collection, changing how we celebrate automotive careers

How TradeWear is tackling the technician shortage

Enter the Toolbelt Generation

True

These days, cars can do a lot more than get you from point A to point B. With features like emergency braking, electric powertrains, and self-parking systems, getting behind the wheel of a modern vehicle means being surrounded by cutting-edge technology. While innovation races ahead, one important element is being left in the dust: trained professionals who know how to fix these increasingly complex systems.

By 2027, the industry is anticipating a nationwide shortage of nearly 800,000 technicians – everything from avionics experts to diesel and collision repair specialists. And while the industry is expected to grow by 3% in the next decade, not enough young people are entering the field quickly enough, and the skills needed to do the job are changing fast.

Enter the "Toolbelt Generation"

Gen Z has increasingly been shifting away from traditional four-year colleges, exploring trade school alternatives as a smarter path forward. This cultural shift has dubbed them the "Toolbelt Generation," and they're onto something big. With a 16% increase in vocation-focused community colleges last year, young people are choosing flexible, hands-on careers without the heavy cost of traditional college education.

But here's the thing: while university students get all the fanfare – the branded hoodies, the campus pride, the cultural celebration – trade school students have been missing out on that same sense of belonging and recognition. Despite outdated stereotypes that paint trade work as "lesser than," these students are actually mastering some of the most sophisticated technology on the planet. Until now, society just hasn't caught up to celebrating what they do.

A creative solution rooted in culture

The NAPA TradeWear Collection is the latest initiative they have using a brilliant solution to change this narrative entirely. In partnership with Dickies and prolific video game artist Stephen Bliss, NAPA launched TradeWear – their first-ever, free merch collection celebrating young trade school students and the automotive technician career path.

The inspiration came from a fascinating cultural insight: automotive and racing games were cited as one of the biggest influences of the current generation of trade school students. That's where Stephen Bliss comes in – he's been behind some of this generation's most iconic video game artwork, making him the perfect partner to bridge the digital-to-physical journey that's inspiring real careers.

"Being an automotive technician is such a badass career," said Stephen Bliss, designer of the new NAPA TradeWear line. "It's both an art and a science, and I designed this line with that artful side in mind – celebrating what drives people to create something tangible with their own hands."

The collection does more than just look cool – it's making a statement that these career paths deserve the same pride and recognition as any traditional college experience.

"NAPA is working to break down barriers for the next generation of technicians by eliminating financial barriers, debunk outdated stereotypes, and create cutting edge training methods to fill this automotive technician gap,” said Danny Huffaker, SVP, Product & Marketing at NAPA, “TradeWear is the latest initiative in champion young technicians, celebrating technical careers with the same pride we give to traditional college paths."

An innovative approach

TradeWear represents just one way NAPA is rising to meet this moment of industry transformation. As America's largest network of automotive parts and care, they're taking a comprehensive approach to supporting the next generation of technicians.

NAPA is set to debut the Autotech XcceleratoR in early 2026—a breakthrough that fuses XR (extended reality) and AI to transform how technicians learn. Think of it as a flight simulator for cars: immersive, hands-on practice with smart guidance that adapts to each learner, building real-world skills faster and safer. As a first-of-its-kind program at national scale, XcceleratoR is designed to train more students in less time, elevate quality across the industry, and set the standard for the next 100 years of automotive training.

NAPA is also championing educational investment through expanded scholarship programs. This year, NAPA launched the Carlyle Tools MAX Impact Scholarship, providing monthly $2,500 awards plus professional-grade Carlyle toolboxes to empower emerging skilled technicians. This initiative joins a comprehensive scholarship portfolio that delivered educational support this year through partnerships with WD40, the University of the Aftermarket, TechForce and SkillsUSA.

Looking toward the future

In a world full of desk jobs and digital burnout, technician jobs in the automotive industry allow people to create an entirely different way of living – a flexible, hands-on career without the heavy cost of a traditional college education.

By investing in innovative training, providing financial support, and most importantly, instilling pride in a new generation of workers through initiatives like TradeWear, NAPA is helping ensure these exciting career paths continue to thrive for generations to come.

Check out the new NAPA TradeWear collection and snag a free item from the collection.

Culture

Gen Xers share 17 nostalgic dishes they ate growing up—and still make for dinner

From sloppy joes to pizza bread, these dishes still slap.

gen x, generation x, gen x meal, gen x food, gen x family meals

Image via Reddit

A family enjoys dinner during the 1970s.

Generation X (those born between 1965-1980) grew up eating classic Americana meals. During the 1970s, comfort meals like tuna casserole and salmon roquettes were popular meals.

Gen X also grew up eating some pretty unhinged (but all the more yummy) sandwiches. These meals are steeped in childhood nostalgia.

And to this day, Gen Xers are still fond of their favorite dishes they grew up eating. Together, they discussed on Reddit their most-loved home-cooked dishes that they still whip up, starting with sloppy joes.

Here are 17 iconic Gen X comfort meals to keep in mind the next time you make dinner:

@genx_shawn
🤤😂 Top 10 Things ONLY GenX Knows the Taste Of... #genx #over50club #genxtiktok #over40 #genxcrew #generationx #genxers #genxtok #over40club #over50

"Breakfast. We will have a 'breakfast for dinner' at least a couple times a month. Yum!" - fadeanddecayed, KddKc

"Pizza bread! My mom would cut Italian bread into pieces, put butter and garlic salt on them, then pour some spaghetti sauce on them, cover with mozzarella cheese, and broil for like ten or fifteen minutes. Super easy and quick to make and so tasty. I'm sure my mom loved that I was so into something that took roughly zero effort for her to make." - hornybutired

"Grilled cheese and soup." - reincarnateme

"Meat loaf. I use 2 pounds ground beef, replace bread crumbs with minute rice, add 1 pkg beef soup flavoring, chop an entire onion for it, and mix BBQ sauce into mixture. Oh, important: do not overmix! Place all ingredients into bowl, then mix quickly 10 or 12 swirls of a large spoon. Grease loaf pan, carefully place mixture in, pat down & bake about an hour. (Extra info: for even better flavor, mix the night before, pat into loaf pan, cover with plastic, put into fridge overnight. Remove from fridge about an hour before baking. BE SURE TO REMOVE PLASTIC WRAP! [Esp. If in Pyrex glass loaf pan])" - jehardt, AbbyM1968

"White guy tacos." - najing_ftw

"Skillet dinner. Kielbasa, bell pepper, onion, spuds in a cast iron pan. One dish. Easy peasy." - UnimportantOutcome67

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Chicken pot pie or chicken ala king." - sattersnaps

"Fried catfish, greens, and red beans and rice." - User Unknown

"Shepherds pie, technically cottage pie if it’s ground beef. Homemade enchiladas, usually made as a layered casserole instead because I don’t have time to roll them. Pork chops with mashed potatoes and veggies." - XerTrekker

"Fried rice with chicken or pork leftovers." - AlternativeResort181

"Hot hamburgers: hamburger patty open face on Texas toast thickness bread, cover with fries then cover that with brown gravy. Wife's variation is hamburger patty over rice with brown gravy." - EnricoMatassaEsq

@past_archives
American Gen X Foods That Kids Today Can’t Understand#nostalgia #childhoodmemories #backtochildhood #90s #2000s #usa #80s #90skids #80schildhood #capcutforus #capcut #capcutpioneer #America

"Stuffed peppers. I make it much more easily by cooking it all in one large frying pan 'deconstructed'. Sauté onions garlic and ground beef, add cut up peppers, tomatoes or tomato sauce, sometimes a little spinach, then add separately cooked rice, salt and pepper and serve. It comes together pretty quickly and tastes just as good as stuffing and baking peppers in the oven." - Affectionate-Map2583

"Macaroni and cheese with cut up hot dogs. Seriously, that’s what I ate tonight." - Dazzling-Walrus9673

"Homemade Stroganoff casserole. Ridiculously easy to make. Ingredients:

1.25-1.5 lbs. Ground Beef
1 each of large white onion, green pepper, and red pepper
1 can mushroom pieces, drained and rinsed
12 oz. Bag of wide egg noodles
1 can cream of mushroom soup
16 oz. Sour cream
Worcestershire Sauce
Louisiana Hot Sauce
White or Black Pepper
Panko bread crumbs

To Make: Preheat oven to 360 degrees. Worcestershire, hot sauce, garlic powder, and pepper are all to taste, depending on how much flavor and punch you want it to have. Cook noodles per instructions. Drain. Peel and slice onion (not diced), core and cut peppers into strips Brown meat, onions and peppers along with liberal amount of Worcestershire; garlic, pepper, and hot sauce. Add mushrooms. Cook until meat is fully brown, onions are translucent and peppers are tender. Drain. Combine drained meat, etc. with whole can of soup, half of the sour cream. Gradually add noodles into the mix. Add sour cream as needed to maintain consistency. Add Worcestershire, hot sauce, and pepper to taste. Dump into large, deep Corning dish or whatever. Cover too with bread crumbs. Cover and bake for forty minutes." - CynfullyDelicious

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Love Stories

Couple retires to live on cruise ships because it's roughly half the cost of a nursing home

"We just walked away from everything."

cruise ships, cruise living, vacation, lifestyle, alternative living, alternative lifestyles, aging, seniors

via Alonso Reyes/Unsplash

A couple lives permanently on cruise ships instead of paying for assisted living.

It comes as no surprise to many of us, but cost of living in the United States has gone up so by leaps and bounds in recent years. So much so that living on a cruise ship has become a reasonable idea for some retirees. When Nancy and Robert Houchens of Charlottesville, Virginia, retired, they decided to sell almost everything they had and live out their golden years hopping from cruise ship to cruise ship.

"We had a 3,000-square-foot home full of furniture...and everything we own now would fit in the back of a pickup truck," Robert told USA Today.

“We sold all of our estates except for a little condominium we have in Florida, so when we get too old to cruise, we have somewhere to live,” Nancy added. “And we did keep two vehicles, and what we kept is in half of (Robert's mother's storage unit), which is, I don't know, 10x10 or something. We just walked away from everything.”

Life on a cruise ship is stress-free for the couple because their needs are taken care of on the ship. "It's been great. I don't cook. I don't clean," Nancy told the Miami Herald.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

The couple has found that living on a cruise ship isn’t as expensive as some may assume. Even though inflation has driven up the cost of travel in the U.S., it hasn’t significantly impacted the cruise industry.

“It's much cheaper than a nursing home or assisted living. It was just a good fit for us. It's a good fit for a lot of people,” Robert told the Miami Herald.

The cost of a nursing home for one person usually runs anywhere from $8-10,000 per month, for reference.

The couple plans their trips differently than someone who is going on vacation. “We look for the best deal, not the destination,” Nancy told Cruise Passenger.

The couple initially planned to spend $4,000 a month living on the ships. “Our original budget was $4,000 a month. This included gratuities. Of course, things are more expensive now, so that budget has had to increase a little. Depending on where we go, we may or may not need the internet,” she told Cruise Passenger.

cruise ships, cruise living, vacation, lifestyle, alternative living, alternative lifestyles, aging, seniors Literally sailing off into the sunset. Giphy

“Our phone plan covers most everywhere for 25 cents a minute to call with free internet and texting,” Nancy continued. “We have an annual travel insurance plan, and one of our credit cards also has travel insurance.”

The roughly $4,000 the couple spends a month includes food, and they don’t have to bother paying for a car. They also try to book their cruises consecutively so they don’t waste money paying for expensive hotels when transferring between cruise lines.

Not a bad deal.

Last July, the Houchens celebrated their 1,000th day sailing with Carnival Cruise Line since the 1980s, and they look forward to countless more days at sea with each other and the new friends they’ve made on their never-ending cruise. And today, they're still going strong.

They're not alone in loving their new lifestyle. CBS News reports in 2025 that "cruise retirements" are more popular than ever.

@lovepeacecruise
Nancy and Robert Houchens of Charlottesville, Virginia - Couple retires to live on cruise ships because it's 'cheaper than a nursing home' #livingonacruiseship #retirement #carnival #carnivalcruise #funship #carnivalship #carnivalshiptok #cruiseship #cruise #cruiser #cruiselife #vacation #travel #cruisevacation #cruisetravel #cruisetok #cruisetiktok #cruiseaddict

“We cruise Carnival because of the people,” Richard told Travel Pulse. “It isn’t the destinations for us anymore, it’s the journey—and the biggest part of the journey is the people.”

This article originally appeared two years ago. It has been updated.

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Learning

4 everyday phrases that may indicate someone is highly intelligent

It's time to rethink what we consider to be "smart."

intelligence, Einstein, change, openness, art

Photo by Taton Moïse on Unsplash

Einstein in a hoodie on a mural.

So often, we equate intelligence with standardized testing, or say, degrees or rank in a graduating class. The person who has a 4.0 GPA and high SAT score probably is pretty book-smart. And sure, various amounts of degrees do imply that most likely they've had a lot of education.

But there is another measure of intelligence that is often overlooked: the ability to be wrong. A doctor named Emma Jones, MD (self-described hospice doctor and "burnout coach") has recently gone viral on social media for a video wherein she talks about intelligence. The clip is entitled "Here's how you know someone is highly intelligent." In just a couple of minutes, she lays out ways you can easily spot someone who is ultra-bright.

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Quoting Oscar Wilde, she says, "Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative." She then explains that he meant, "highly intelligent people know how to change their minds."

Here's where the phrases of (most likely) highly intelligent people come in. She says to listen for sentences like:

"I used to think…"

"That's a good point."

"Let me reconsider."

"I've changed my mind."

She adds, "Most people double down to protect their ego. But intelligent people update their beliefs. They get more curious instead of more defensive. And they ask things like 'what am I missing?' instead of trying to win an argument. They don't tie their identity to being 'right.' And they treat being wrong like data, not humiliation."

She also quotes Albert Einstein, who once said, "The measure of intelligence is the ability to change." She notes that the "real flex" is being able to have your mind changed "without shame."

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The comments, and there are thousands in just a short amount of time, support the notion. One (somewhat sarcastically) writes, "So in other words, you’re saying that intelligence correlates with a combination of critical thinking skills and the humility to know that oneself doesn’t know everything?"

Another jokes, "I used to say that my 'need to be right' is so strong that if someone shows me a better path, or shows me that my thinking is off, I will quickly recalibrate and change my mind so I can be 'right' again." Jones responds to this: "That is quite a strong and intelligent reframe."

Another Instagrammer backs it up with a book they love, writing, "One of the best books I have ever read is called But What If We're Wrong by Chuck Klosterman. I base most of my life on the assumption that some part of the system is built on inherently incorrect information. It makes it easier to be flexible and make connections to other information that may have otherwise been missed."

But, of course, admitting there's usually room for debate and the ability to change one's mind is just one of many signs someone is intelligent. Writer and reviewer Jordan Cooper shared his subtle signs someone might be intelligent in an article for VegOut.

Among eight examples, his first is "talking to yourself out loud," which I mentioned in a recent Upworthy article. He adds, "A 2012 study in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology showed that talking out loud can actually improve focus and object recognition. Why? Because verbalizing engages additional sensory channels. When you speak your thoughts aloud, you’re not just thinking—you’re hearing yourself think, which reinforces memory and decision-making. Einstein did it. So do a ton of high-performers who swear by this trick for brainstorming, debugging their code, or preparing for presentations."

richard pryor, intelligence, openness, being wrong Richard Pryor admits he was wrong. Giphy

Other examples, some of which have also been pointed out on Upworthy over the years, are: "zoning out," "being sensitive to noise, light or texture," "having messy handwriting," "swearing a lot," and to the earlier point, "doubting your intelligence constantly." (In other words, staying open to being wrong.)

So, while having good grades and a plethora of degrees is excellent, always being open to learning and changing course adds a layer to any good mind.

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Education

Social skills expert shares 3 'magic phrases' that make you more likable

Sometimes, we need to overcommunicate how we feel about others.

vanessa van edwards, likability, communications skills, people skills, people laughing, good advice

via Press Release and Canva/Photos

Vanessa Van Edwards and people at a party.

A familiar misstep people make when trying to be likable is trying to impress others. They want to show they are funny, intelligent, and a great storyteller. They think being the life of the party is the road to likability. However, study after study shows that it’s a lot easier to be likable. All you have to do is show interest in others. To put it simply: If you like people, you will become more likable.

There’s a slight wrinkle in the notion that liking more people makes you more likable. Many people you like aren’t sure that you like them. The psychological phenomenon known as signal amplification bias says it best. We tend to overestimate how clearly we broadcast our feelings and intentions towards others. So, the person we like and who likes us may not know the feeling is mutual.

“We think our signals are obvious,” Vanessa Van Edwards told Steve Bartlett on the Diary of a CEO podcast. “If we like someone or if we’re having a good time, we think, ‘Oh, they for sure know it.’ They don’t.” Van Edwards is a communications expert and the author of Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People.

To help people clearly communicate their feelings, Van Edwards suggests three “magic phrases” to show you care. Check out the video below.

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Phrase 1: ‘I was just thinking of you’

“You think of a lot of people in your life all the time,” she said. “If you are thinking of someone and you can text them: ‘I was just thinking of you, how are you?’ I was just thinking of you, how’d that project go?’ was just thinking of you. It has been a while since we talked.’ You see a movie, you see a documentary, you see a matcha latte, you see a mug, you see a ceramic candle, and you’re like, ‘Ah, this made me think of you,’” Van Edwards said. “My text messages, my conversations, are full of actual moments where I was triggered to think of that person, actually,” she said, noting the importance of being genuine. “If you don’t think of someone, they’re not a person you need to have in your life.”

Phrase 2: ‘You’re always so …’

"So if you're with someone and you're impressed by them or they're interesting or they're funny, say, 'You always make me laugh. You’re always so interesting,’ or ‘You’re always so great in interviews.' Giving them a label that is a positive label is the best gift you can give someone, because it's fighting that signal amplification bias,” she continued.

Phrase 3: ‘Last time we talked, you mentioned …’

“We are so honored when we get brain space—that you remembered and you’re going to bring it up,” she said. “And you specifically bring up something that they lit up with, something they were like, ‘Ah, it was great, it was exciting, it was wonderful.’”

If studies show the more you like other people, the more likable you become, Van Edwards has the next logical step in becoming more likable. She makes it clear that, due to signal amplification bias, many people you like may not even know it. When we employ her three ways to be more likeable, though, we can let people know we like them without making them feel uncomfortable, thus establishing bond to build on.

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Gen Xers and Boomers share ‘grimy’ parts of the 70s they were happy to leave behind

Such a good reminder of the progress we’ve made in the past 50 years.

Times square, 42nd street and 7th ave, new york city, NYC, 1970s

Dan McCoy/Wikimedia Commons

Times Square in 1973 was pretty "sleazy."

When people talk about the world older generations grew up in, it's often looked at through the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia. Life was simpler back then. We didn't have all the trappings of technology or the burdens of busy modern life. Sure, we had to do more things manually, but the world was safer and cleaner and generally better back then, right?

Not so fast. As some of the younger generations have noticed, the 1970s is often spoken about with nostalgic fondness but portrayed differently in entertainment. That observation led someone to ask Gen Xers and Boomers, "Were the 1970s really as grimy and gloomy and sleazy as the movies make it look?" Surprisingly, folks who lived through the '70s took off their rose-colored glasses to remind us all of how far we've actually come in the past 50 years.

from AskOldPeople

While "grimy" and "gloomy" and "sleazy" may be strong terms, they're not entirely inaccurate, according to the older folks who responded to the question. Of course, some places had more problems than others and big cities had it the worst, but some of the "grime" was widespread. Here are the truths behind the film portrayals:

Smog in Los Angeles

While L.A. still struggles with air quality, it has seen a vast, visible improvement since the days of thick, brown smog hovering over the city and people mistaking it for a gas attack.

— (@)

"I lived in Los Angeles as a kid, and it wasn't unusual to have days we weren't allowed to go outside at school because the smog was so bad it literally hurt to breathe."

"A old joke that probably doesn't make sense nowadays: 'What do you see in California when the smog lifts? UCLA.'"

"We called them Smog alerts. We couldn’t go out for recess on those days."

"The mountains were mythical, growing up in L.A. On the occasional clear day you’d hear people saying, 'Wait, those are there all the time?' Thank goodness for better emissions control."

Air and water pollution in general

The Environmental Protection Agency was begun under President Nixon in 1970, and it would take awhile for the new department to get established and policies to take hold.

— (@)

"Yes. 60’s and 70’s every major American city had days where there was really low visibility, distant landmarks obscured, brown, white, rusty, hazy cast and layers. Car, truck and bus exhaust pollution. In some areas, strong chemical and odors fr factories and animal processing plants. In the winter you could taste the sulfur in the air from some smaller city power stations burning coal. Flying into some cities was a descent from clean air into a dark brown layer of pollution."

"Bad enough that the EPA was born at that time; Woodsy Owl, the 'Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute' mascot was born; the Crying Indian commercial was first broadcast; the Clean Water Act was amended (originally from 1948 and called Federal Water Pollution Control Act).

We lived near a refinery town in the 60s and 70s. Gawd, I had asthma and was constantly having to go to the hospital, to the point the doctors told my parents to keep me inside. Or course, them being smokers made it pretty much from the frying pan to the fire.

The 70s were the years of introducing environmental awareness to a population that was coughing, hacking and used to brown air."

"That was when people finally said 'Wait, you mean rivers aren't supposed to catch fire when a train passes by and some sparks fly off the rail?' and 'What do you mean they're actually supposed to have flowing water in them, instead of oozing sludge?'"

Littering was commonplace

It might be hard to imagine now, but it was totally normal in certain eras to just throw your trash out the window of your car or leave your bottles or cans wherever you finished them.

1977 TV public service announcement www.youtube.com

"I think everyone kinda forgets how much trash there was. My generation grew up with the crying Indian and 'give a hoot, don't pollute.' Before that, people really did just throw their trash out the car windows. There was a LOT more trash on the roads."

"We used to make a fair bit of money picking up aluminum cans, and smashing them to sell for scrap. Loads of them."

"It was quite common for people to throw trash out of their cars. beer bottles by the side of the road. In the late 1970s, Michigan voted in bottle deposits, and afterwards there was quite a difference in the roadside as you crossed the Ohio border in I-75. With the deposits, there was more incentive to pick them up, too, because each one was worth a dime. Didn't take too many to pay for a $1 movie that had already been in the big theaters for a month or two."

"Recycling was pretty much non-existent. It seemed that people burned trash a lot more commonly, as well."

"There's a scene in Mad Men where they have a picnic and Don casually pitches his beer can into the woods. It used to be like that."

Times Square was NSFW

If people think Times Square is tacky now, with all of its flashy billboards, it's a far cry from the "sleazy" strip it used to be.

Times square, 42nd street and 7th ave, new york city, NYC, 1970s A photo near Times Square from 1973.Dan McCoy/Wikimedia Commons

"That Times Square scene in Taxi Driver was Cinema Verite, it was exactly like that."

"Yeah, I used to have to travel to New York in the late ‘70s. The sleaze factor around Times Square was significant."

"Times Square was full of porn theaters and you didn’t go to what is now the High Line neighborhood unless you wanted hookers and blow."

"First time I went to NYC as a kid in like 1994 I remember a ton of porn theaters. They must have cleaned them all up within a few years, because I never saw them again on later visits."

People smoked everywhere

— (@)

"Everyone smoked. Everyone and everywhere. I can’t believe we all don’t have lung cancer. Even us nonsmokers."

"Restaurants and Bars were smoky greasy and pretty grimy. It had to be a really nice place to smell fresh. The lighting was terrible. Most places had terrible air circulation. Everywhere reeked of cigarette, pipe and cigar smoke. Food odors. Old grease."

"Grimy? Yes. People smoked in their offices. After hours outside in the unemployment line, get to stand in line an oxygen free smoke filled enclosed sea of humanity with one bathroom to be insulted by cranky civil servants. Seems every building had cigarette and cigar tar wall and ceiling coatings."

Were there a lot of great things about the 1970s? Of course. There's a lot that we can take from every decade that was positive, including the one we are living through now. But this reflection on the less-than-stellar elements of the '70s and the big improvements we've made since then on all of these fronts should give us hope that we are capable of collectively moving in the right direction.

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