This A24 Horror Movie With 94% On Rotten Tomatoes Is Crushing It On Netflix

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Yes, “Talk to Me” has been lauded by critics for its clever storytelling and impressive practical effects, as the film sports a cool 94% on Rotten Tomatoes at the moment. But what makes this movie so special? For starters, it opts for a plausible premise that doesn’t seem too far from the realm of possibility, which adds to the terror evoked throughout.
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“Talk to Me” follows teenagers Mia (Sophie Wilde) and Jade (Alexandra Jensen), along with Jade’s brother Riley (Joe Bird), as they participate in a game involving a severed, embalmed hand that allows those holding it to be possessed by the dead. It’s entirely believable that a group of bored teenagers, all of whom are dealing with personal issues, would casually mess around with something so dangerous. Of course, strict rules are put in place to avoid causing any permanent damage, so surely none of these kids will get carried away as they take turns being possessed … right? Sure enough, the inevitable happens, and the story takes a pretty grisly turn even before the gravity of the situation sinks in.
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The adrenaline rush that comes with letting a spirit take over them is reason enough for these teens to find this enjoyable or even worthwhile. After all, any sort of ridiculous, over-the-top spooky video is an interaction magnet on social media; hence, when a participant violently chokes and contorts, it’s initially perceived with glee. However, this giddy spell breaks once things get out of control, and this is when “Talk to Me” shines, using its smart narrative device to instill fear in us as viewers.
Moreover, the intent here is to explore heavier emotions, such as the grief Mia is experiencing after losing a loved one, as she is trying to find ways to escape the hellish claws of pain. But can you really outrun an emotion you’re meant to accept and process, especially when the alternative is a nefarious specter that will end up outwitting you? As expected, the answers aren’t easy, as no two people go about life the same way.
If you haven’t experienced “Talk to Me” yet, this is a great opportunity to make the most of your Netflix subscription. No matter what your thoughts might be after the credits roll, you’re bound to emerge from the experience with a deep appreciation for the film’s escalating, pit-in-your-stomach horror. There’s even a “Talk to Me” sequel in the works, which promises to reveal more about the movie’s bleak, dreary universe than we ever imagined.
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Reporting ‘Rhode Kill:’ New Survey Calls on Citizen Scientists

Science and Health

There are more than a million wildlife vehicle collisions in the United States annually with significant personal and economic costs, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Every year, they result in about 200 deaths and 26,000 injuries to drivers and passengers and cost more than $8 billion.

Kathleen Carroll, assistant professor of applied quantitative ecology in the University of Rhode Island’s Department of Natural Resources Science, is working on a solution to make roads safer for both wildlife and humans. It will utilize the help of citizen scientists.

Rhode Islanders can now report roadkill that they hit or observe using a QR-code generated survey or online. The public’s participation will ultimately inform research efforts to mitigate risks for both drivers and animals. Usage of the survey is anonymous. With permission, it will pull the respondent’s GPS location but no personal data.

“If we identify key hot spots for roadkill, we can advise the Rhode Island Department of Transportation on ways to increase successful wildlife crossings,” Carroll said.

The pervasive problem of roadkill illuminates larger concerns about wildlife connectivity, the ability for animals to move freely from place to place. In western states, known migration pathways have informed efforts to facilitate safe movement through large underpasses and overpasses.

“We have eight of the ten most densely populated states in the Northeast,” said Carroll, “and the abundance of roadways and cities creates certain concerns. Here we have animals moving around, but we don’t have massive ungulate or mammal migrations, so we don’t have giant wildlife bridges or other things that work out West. There have been a lot of discussions about what is important when we start thinking about connectivity in New England specifically.”

Data from the survey will complement research conducted by Carroll’s graduate students that uses camera trap data to record animals’ usage of culverts.

“We know that animals are willing to use culverts, as opposed to crossing on the road, because they don’t want to be somewhere they’re going to die,” Carroll said. “So what is it about some culverts that makes them willing to use it?”

Identifying what is happening spatially at culvert sites will provides crucial information on predicting animal behavior, she noted.

The data from the Rhode Kill Survey will be paired with traditional data collection methods: graduate students in Carroll’s Quest Lab will complete surveys that utilize standardized effort, driving the same amount of distance from randomly assigned starting points and then pulling off the road to pick up roadkill for assessment of species, age, sex, and other identifications.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the GPS app Waze currently collect roadkill data, but it’s very disparate. Carroll and the team are interested in establishing a data-sharing agreement to ensure all collected data can be used more effectively.

While the survey is in its early days, there is already growing interest in the work, including from the New York Department of Transportation.

The only required question on the Rhode Kill Survey is whether the animal was a deer. Additional optional questions include the ability to upload a photo and to participate in a follow-up driving survey. The latter is particularly useful to researchers, according to Carroll, because it provides information about the level of effort and driving habits of respondents.

For questions, more information, or to receive a bumper sticker with a QR code to the survey, contact Carroll.

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I asked scientists about the best exercise for longevity – and they all said the same 3 workouts

Science and Health

The best exercise for longevity has been confirmed by exercise scientists. Well, the best three exercises that, when combined together in a healthy and sustainable routine, have proven benefits to help us live better and for longer.Longevity is the buzzword for 2025. We hear it when we’re talking about our biological age and the famous ‘Blue Zones’ – but what does it actually mean? The National Institute for Ageing (NIA) defines it as the length of time an individual lives, influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Research into longevity focuses on understanding how biological, social, and behavioural factors can help us have a “longer and healthier lifespan”. In short, it’s all about living healthier for longer.Exercise is one important pillar in that. Here, woman&home speaks to experts with a background in medicine, fitness, and neuroscience to reveal the best exercise for longevity, how often to do it, and how you’ll know you’re seeing progress.What is the best exercise for longevity? I spoke to five experts, all with a deep knowledge of longevity from a medical, neuroscience, or fitness background. All five of them agreed – the best exercise for longevity was a combination of the following:Cardiovascular exercise, e.g. running, walking, swimming, cyclingStrength training exercise, e.g. lifting weights, doing Pilates with weightsMobility exercise, e.g. stretching, yoga, or PilatesCardio exerciseAt a basic level, cardio exercises work the cardiovascular system, helping to push blood around the body, says Pete Williams, a leading functional medicine practitioner, exercise scientist, and strength and conditional specialist. “They can be anything you choose and enjoy, whether that be walking, running, rowing, cycling, aerobics classes, or dancing. The important thing is to do it consistently.”Consistently means 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week, he explains, in line with NHS recommendations. “Moderate intensity means you can hold a conversation, but it’s a bit laboured, and you may just need to take an extra breath. The alternative is higher-intensity exercise for 75 minutes, which is where you cannot hold a conversation.”Aiming for 150 minutes or 75 minutes is key, the scientist says, as most people don’t get this and so don’t reap the longevity benefits of exercise. Of course, the more you do, the more benefits you can have.”A study in the Circulation Journal analysed data from over 100,000 adults across 30 years. It concluded that engaging in 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week can reduce the risk of all-cause mortality by approximately 20%, while increasing activity to 300 to 600 minutes per week may reduce mortality risk by 26% to 31%,” he tells us. “This suggests that doubling the minimum recommended exercise duration can provide additional longevity benefits, but the most benefit is gained when someone goes from doing no exercise to being a consistent exerciser.”Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.Pete WilliamsFunctional Medicine Practitioner and Exercise ScientistPete Williams, M.Med.Sci, CSCS, IFMCP is the founder of Functional Medicine Associates and a leading UK expert in Functional Medicine. With over 20 years of clinical experience, he specialises in corporate burnout, cardiovascular health, brain health, gut health, DNA testing, and healthy ageing. Pete is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, an IFM Certified Practitioner, and a Bredesen Trained Practitioner, known for his pioneering work in personalised, preventative healthcare.Cardio exercise includes walking, running, cycling, and swimming.(Image credit: Getty Images)Strength trainingStrength training is all about basic human movement patterns, says Williams. “Squat, lunge, a push (like chest presses) and a pull (like chin up) and then maybe a press above the head, or carrying heavy things. These are the fundamental movements and they work all the major muscle groups,” he says.”You need to be working those exercises a minimum of twice a week and getting progressively stronger over time,” he adds.According to a global analysis study conducted in association with Les Mills and looking at three decades of research, as little as 30 to 60 minutes of strength training every week is enough to reduce premature dying risk by up to a fifth.”It boosts strength, fitness, calorie burn, and long-term fat loss, while offering heart health benefits, surpassing cardio and improving bone density – critical after 40 when bone loss accelerates,” says Bryce Hastings, head of research at Les Mills. “It also reduces anxiety, lowers diabetes risk by 32%, and improves sleep quality, making it essential for both physical and mental wellbeing.”Other research shows strength training can take 8 years off your biological age if you do it a couple of times a week.Bryce HastingsHead of Research at Les MillsBryce Hastings is a leading New Zealand physiotherapist with 30 years experience. He is also a true fitness expert and Les Mills’ Head of Research, leading the research into the most effective approaches to exercise and playing a pivotal role in structuring all Les Mills workouts. Strength training includes using dumbbells, kettlebells, and bodyweight exercises.(Image credit: Getty Images)Mobility”Mobility is one of those things that people often don’t appreciate until they start to lose it, and it’s absolutely not something we need to accept as a ‘side effect’ of ageing,” says Lotti Sorrell, a personal trainer specialising in exercise for longevity.”Mitigating stiffness and immobility can give people a huge amount of freedom as we age, keeping us independent and allowing us to stay active,” she says.Mobility exercises include hip extensions, wall squats, hamstring stretches, and cat-cow, as well as wall Pilates or a Pilates home workout and yoga stretches for beginners.”If we can then start to focus on building movement where we can perform it with added load, to full range and with a balance element like a raised front heel, then suddenly we have one move that can hit a lot of longevity pillars all at once in the same amount of time,” says Sorrell.Other mind-body focused exercise also has benefits for longevity, says Dr Tamsin Lewis, a neuroscientist and functional medicine specialist. For example, yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi. “Such practices lower ongoing sympathetic arousal, regulating cortisol and other stress-related hormones, improving sleep quality and further supporting hormonal equilibrium,” she says. “Intentional breathing patterns can shift you from a fight-or-flight response towards a rest-and-digest state, lowering cortisol and enabling more robust parasympathetic activity,” adds Dr Lewis, who is also the founder and medical director of Wellgevity. As good sleep and lower stress levels also feed into longevity, this is very important.Lotti SorrellPersonal TrainerLotti Sorrell is the founder and head trainer at Longevity, a fitness company helping people to move better forever. She is a movement coach and CIMSPA registered personal trainer working with top clients around London.Dr Tamsin LewisNeuroscientist Dr Tamsin Lewis graduated with honours from King’s College London and Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals in 2004, earning a BSc in Neuroscience and the Biology of Ageing. Dr Tam has specialist training in psychiatry and sports medicine, complemented by further studies in nutritional and functional medicine.She is also the founder and medical director of Wellgevity.As a member of The Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych) and a founding trustee of the British Society for Lifestyle Medicine, Dr Tam is committed to integrating lifestyle approaches into her medical practice. What does longevity mean?Longevity is about living a life that’s longer but also of a high quality, where you maintain your cognitive health, physical health, and general independence to the end of your life – or well into old age.While we can’t always control our risk of developing certain life-limiting diseases, longevity research aims to identify the ways we can reduce this risk by embedding certain practices into our lifestyles.It comes as no surprise that exercise routines are an important pillar in longevity – but it’s not the only one. Eating well, getting good sleep, having low stress, positive social connections, and having a sense of purpose are all longevity pillars.For example, “A diet rich in bone-friendly nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K2 is essential for bone health, as is protein. This is crucial for maintaining muscle mass,” says Dr Elise Dallas, a women’s health GP and menopause specialist at The London General Practice.She also recommends avoiding certain lifestyle habits that have a proven impact on our health, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Stress and sleep also have a vital role to play, as noted by Dr Lewis.Dr Elise DallasWomen’s Health GPDr Elise Dallas is a General Practitioner at The London General Practice with over 20 years of experience. She graduated from Leicester Warwick Medical School in 2004, having previously earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Human Biology. She is a Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners and holds several postgraduate diplomas in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sexual and Reproductive Health as well as a qualification from the British Menopause Society.How often should you exercise for longevity?How often you should lift weights or how far you should walk every day for longevity benefits will depend on individual factors, says Sorrell, but most people will find a short 30 to 40-minute session, as little as twice a week, can be “absolutely life-changing”.”Any amount of training is better than no training, so start with a manageable amount that you can realistically and consistently fit into your schedule,” she says. “For cardiovascular health, even a short walk of 20 to 30 minutes daily has been shown to have tremendously positive effects in terms of improving physical health-span and mental health.”How to monitor longevity through exerciseIt’s one thing to do the best exercise for longevity, but how do you know it’s working? One key way to determine whether your cardio, strength, and mobility exercises are coming together to help you live longer and healthier is by taking a look at your Heart Rate Variability (HRV), says Dr Lewis.”HRV indicates how effectively your autonomic nervous system adapts to stressors -higher HRV typically suggests better resilience,” she explains. “By integrating practices such as mindful movement, group involvement, conscious breathwork, and supportive self-care, you can gently reshape your physiology, often reflected in improving HRV.”To find your HRV, you’ll need to wear an electrocardiogram (ECG) device or chest strap. This measures the electrical activity of the heart. You can find these online, with the sensor incorporated into many of the best fitness trackers these days.Longevity tips from exercise scientists Improve your agility: “I want to just mention falling and its impact on longevity. It’s such a big killer, particularly as we get over 60,” says Williams. “Falling is a very explosive activity, so if you are never training yourself to do things quickly, you cannot expect your brain to quickly talk to your muscles to react to the act of falling.” He says key movements include dance and quick-feet drills.Consider your hormones: “Women’s hormonal landscapes shift dramatically – whether month-to-month or across perimenopause and menopause. These changes shape everything from mood and energy to bone density and recovery capacity,” says Dr Lewis. One way to manage hormone fluctuation is via HRT, she says. “[It’s about]far more than symptom management, it’s about protecting your longevity, through support to brain, bones, muscles, heart and the entire cardiovascular system.”Look at your family history: So much of our health is down to genetics. As an example, Dr Dallas says: “Up to 85% of bone health is determined by family history. If your mum has osteoporosis or has experienced fractures, this is an important red flag for you. Research shows that women whose mothers had osteoporosis have a 50-80% higher risk of developing the disease themselves. Knowing this information allows you to take proactive steps early to protect your bone health.”Think mental as well as physical: “Interestingly, one more aspect to longevity that has been consistently highlighted as a key consideration in all kinds of studies is social life! Having strong social relationships is something that can be just as crucial as improving physical health as we age,” says Sorrell, who has launched a retreat for just this reason alongside Holistic Impact UK.

In the Book Nook with … Kathy Johansen

Arts & Culture, Books

Author Kathy Johansen (Photo: Michele Hilderbrand)Author Kathy Johansen, a 3rd grade teacher, lives in Lakewood, WA. She recently published her first book. She is a member of the Greater Gig Harbor Literary Society. When Kathy is not writing, she loves spending time with family, knitting (hand and machine), and reading.

Which genres do you cover?Kathy Johansen: Children’s fiction books.

Which is the latest book you have published, and what is it about?Kathy Johansen: Sock Peddler Surprises: Fish On! A boy and his knitting grandparents pursue the ultimate catch during a fishing trip while sharing fun and tradition. Anglers and knitters will treasure this family story!

At which book events can readers find you?Kathy Johansen: This summer, I would like to do some book readings at libraries in the local area. But so far, I haven’t scheduled any yet.

Kathy Johansen’s children’s book debut

Which book event connecting you with readers is your favorite and why?Kathy Johansen: My favorite events are hands-on events where children have tactile, engaging experiences. This story features a circular knitting machine. Experiencing the machine in the book or in person is magical as it turns yarn into fabric with each revolution of the crank. Kids and adults love trying their hand at cranking circular sock machines. Some machines make louder clicking noises while others quietly whir. Sock Peddler Surprises: Fish On! also features a different kind of craft that isn’t a sock machine but can be handmade!

Do(es) your book(s) have any specific messages to your readers and, if so, which are they?Kathy Johansen: Sock Peddler Surprises: Fish On! is a story about the importance of family – especially grandparents and the skills and traditions they pass down to grandchildren.

Which writer(s) keep(s) inspiring you and why?Kathy Johansen: I am particularly drawn to books that make children laugh; however, in my 3rd grade classroom, Tui Sutherland (Wings of Fire series) captivates children with imaginary tales of dragons. She writes books children love to read and reread.

A sneak peek into Kathy Johansen’s book

Do you have any specific writing habits?Kathy Johansen: Story ideas often flood my mind especially when I am doing something creative. I try to make sure to capture those ideas by writing them down before they slip away. My writing flows best either in the early morning or late at night.

What are you currently working on?Kathy Johansen: Book 2 Sock Peddler Surprises: The Magical Dress on the Labyrinth (Not exactly sure of title yet)

Which book are you currently reading simply for entertainment?Kathy Johansen: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

What advice would you give any aspiring author?Kathy Johansen: Writing is rewriting! Enjoy the process. Share your stories – no matter how long it takes!

You can find Kathy Johansen’s book anywhere books are sold and on Amazon.

In the Book Nook with … Kathy Johansen

Arts & Culture, Books

Author Kathy Johansen (Photo: Michele Hilderbrand)Author Kathy Johansen, a 3rd grade teacher, lives in Lakewood, WA. She recently published her first book. She is a member of the Greater Gig Harbor Literary Society. When Kathy is not writing, she loves spending time with family, knitting (hand and machine), and reading.

Which genres do you cover?Kathy Johansen: Children’s fiction books.

Which is the latest book you have published, and what is it about?Kathy Johansen: Sock Peddler Surprises: Fish On! A boy and his knitting grandparents pursue the ultimate catch during a fishing trip while sharing fun and tradition. Anglers and knitters will treasure this family story!

At which book events can readers find you?Kathy Johansen: This summer, I would like to do some book readings at libraries in the local area. But so far, I haven’t scheduled any yet.

Kathy Johansen’s children’s book debut

Which book event connecting you with readers is your favorite and why?Kathy Johansen: My favorite events are hands-on events where children have tactile, engaging experiences. This story features a circular knitting machine. Experiencing the machine in the book or in person is magical as it turns yarn into fabric with each revolution of the crank. Kids and adults love trying their hand at cranking circular sock machines. Some machines make louder clicking noises while others quietly whir. Sock Peddler Surprises: Fish On! also features a different kind of craft that isn’t a sock machine but can be handmade!

Do(es) your book(s) have any specific messages to your readers and, if so, which are they?Kathy Johansen: Sock Peddler Surprises: Fish On! is a story about the importance of family – especially grandparents and the skills and traditions they pass down to grandchildren.

Which writer(s) keep(s) inspiring you and why?Kathy Johansen: I am particularly drawn to books that make children laugh; however, in my 3rd grade classroom, Tui Sutherland (Wings of Fire series) captivates children with imaginary tales of dragons. She writes books children love to read and reread.

A sneak peek into Kathy Johansen’s book

Do you have any specific writing habits?Kathy Johansen: Story ideas often flood my mind especially when I am doing something creative. I try to make sure to capture those ideas by writing them down before they slip away. My writing flows best either in the early morning or late at night.

What are you currently working on?Kathy Johansen: Book 2 Sock Peddler Surprises: The Magical Dress on the Labyrinth (Not exactly sure of title yet)

Which book are you currently reading simply for entertainment?Kathy Johansen: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

What advice would you give any aspiring author?Kathy Johansen: Writing is rewriting! Enjoy the process. Share your stories – no matter how long it takes!

You can find Kathy Johansen’s book anywhere books are sold and on Amazon.

Author Matthew Hubbard opens up about his new book, chosen family and fighting for LGBTQ+ rights

Arts & Culture, Books

If you’re looking for empowering, LGBTQ+, joyful young adult reads, look no further: Matthew Hubbard is your new favourite author.

His first two novels, The Last Boyfriend’s Rules For Revenge and upcoming The Rebel’s Guide To Pride, are politically-charged, funny and full of heart.

We spoke to Matthew to find out more about his upcoming release, the inspiration behind his work and why he thinks it’s so important to empower readers in a time of massive political unrest for LGBTQ+ people.

The Rebel’s Guide To Pride is out on 6th May 2025. (Delacorte Press/Random House Children’s Books)

You’ve said you write the stories you wish you had growing up. What kind of impact do you hope RGTP has on young queer readers, especially those in small towns?

Matthew Hubbard: My first book, The Last Boyfriend’s Rules For Revenge, is all about finding your place in the world. Even if you live in a small town, you still get to exist. The Rebel’s Guide To Pride is about demanding to exist. You’re fighting for your space.

I would want readers in small towns to know that they deserve to take up space and that their identity matters. It’s worth fighting for. Stand your ground 100%.

I think that really resonates with Zeke’s story throughout the book. Did your own experiences influence his story in Rebel’s Guide To Pride?

Matthew Hubbard: There’s an infamous shoe box that Zeke has in the very beginning of the book. That shoe box is exactly what growing up felt like to me in small town Alabama. I was putting myself and all the things I was scared of into this metaphorical shoe box and hiding it so I didn’t have to look at or deal with it. It really influenced Zeke’s story. He is unpacking himself, his identity and throughout the book he lets these parts of himself hold space in his new life. 

I’m sure it’s a very universal feeling for queer people, not feeling like you belong. But when you finally get to that place, you start to unpack everything you’ve been afraid of. That really helped me catapult Zeke’s journey throughout the Rebel’s Guide To Pride.

So, obviously, rebellion is a massive theme in the book. What drew you to this and how did it evolve when you were writing Rebel’s?

Matthew Hubbard: I started writing my first book over the Florida House Bill, or Don’t Say Gay. I was upset and angry. They want us to feel helpless, like we can’t do anything, when things like that happen. And I did. So I wanted to do something that I could control. That turned into Last Boyfriend’s Rules For Revenge. So many more people felt like they didn’t have a voice in that moment, and that shaped me into who I am as an author.

With Rebel’s Guide To Pride, I got a little bit more political than I expected through writing about how you can enforce change in your community through local elections and finding allies in those safe spaces. It isn’t something I touch on in Last Boyfriend’s. 

The Rebel’s Guide To Pride is showing that you can fight and demand to exist. You can be seen and actively fight back in your community. It’s about what comes next after you’ve realised you deserve to be there. 

The Last Boyfriend’s Rule For Revenge (Delacorte Press/Random House Children’s Books)

Both of your books are Young Adult, but the things they deal with are quite grown up. What made you tell these stories through the lens of teenagers?

Matthew Hubbard: Going back to when I was a teen, everything felt like life and death. Everything was dramatic. If you didn’t get asked on a date it felt like you were dying inside. And that’s what it feels like with the current situation in the US. Putting it through the lens of a 17-year-old boy shows how it affects his life. It has the biggest impact because of his age. It kind of helped maintain the momentum of what’s destroying our community. He can see it. He can feel it. Throw in some teen angst, ex-boyfriends and all the heightened emotions of being a teenager and it feels like the appropriate catalyst to tell the story.

And you see that life and death mentality in the book through Zeke’s relationship with his mother. Zeke is dramatic whereas his mother is going through the separation from his father and trying to rebuild her life. There’s a difference in their mentalities. She’s concerned about safety and has more perspective on the situation whereas he’s much more keen to make things happen.

Matthew Hubbard: Yeah, his mother definitely thinks first and Zeke thinks second. He acts, or reacts, and she thinks before acting. Realising that I’m old enough to have a 17-year-old really changes the game when you’re writing Young Adult. So I got to put myself in her position and show how important it is that Zeke sees his mother as a human being. She makes mistakes. She’s learning this new way in life as well. It’s two different trajectories for them, but it ends up in the same space. It’s showing how different things affect different people, how they process it and how they react to it was really important to me.

You can definitely see that as they develop through the book. Zeke’s relationship with his parents is a massive part of the development of his character. They both have very different views on, not just his identity, but the decisions he is making about his life and future. How did you develop this when you were writing?

Matthew Hubbard: In my first book, the main character had a very supportive father. I felt like that was important to highlight because I don’t feel like a lot of young adult queer characters have that, especially from the south. And then in Rebel’s, I wanted to flip the script.

What happens when you don’t have that support and you turn to your friends? When your reliance is on having friendships and peers as opposed to adults. His mother isn’t perfect. She’s like, 20 steps behind, but she’s trying. And the father, who I call Jackass using his initials, is the other end of the spectrum. I wanted to show how different parents react to your identity. 

100%. You touched upon it a little there, but found family is a massive part of this book. A big part of queer life is finding those people who support your identity. Was that an important thing for you to showcase in The Rebel’s Guide To Pride?

Matthew Hubbard: Absolutely it is. Speaking for myself, I feel like I found my family when I hit my 30s. I have people around me who consider me an uncle to their kid, not by blood but through those friendships that last a lifetime. It’s so important. Sometimes, in our community, people don’t grow up with that support. It isn’t pre-built like with cis-hetero identity. I’m not saying they take it for granted, but I think it’s hard to realise when you don’t have it. Having love be conditional is so important because when you finally meet the people where love is unconditional, it is life saving and life changing.

You mentioned how, in your first book, the father is very supportive of his son. I loved that. As someone who has a very supportive father, it was refreshing to see that dynamic. I think it’s quite rare to see it that way. 

Matthew Hubbard: Thank you. That’s what I wanted to do. Because, especially where the story is set, you have what people call ‘blue collar workers’. ‘Toxic masculinity’ is usually associated with them, so I wanted to show you a character who wasn’t toxic and who supported his son. That was crucial for me. 

No, thank you! 

Zeke struggles with what it means to be a ‘good gay’ in The Rebel’s Guide To Pride’. Why is that something you chose to explore?

Matthew Hubbard: There was a whole joke with my editor that we should call this book ‘Bad Gays’ when I was writing it. But that whole topic came about while editing my first book. My editor and I were talking about zodiac signs and astrology because I made a joke about it in Last Boyfriend’s. She called it out and said ‘I don’t know what that means, but then again, I feel like a very bad gay because I don’t understand astrology.’ It put the idea in my head of those preconceived notions and what it means to be the stereotypical queer person.

Whenever it involves politics and fighting for what you want, either you’re not saying enough or you’re saying too much. You’re not fighting for what the majority wants. You’re being selfish. All those things are being lobbed at you and you don’t know how to react. Seeing the politics and bills being passed, they have these really confusing ways of being named and numbered. What would it feel like if you were forced into these positions where you had to start paying attention to these things before you were ready? A 17-year-old isn’t ready to bear the weight of what politics can do to cause harm to his community, and he’s trying to figure that out.

We see that Zeke’s best friend, Sawyer, has that all figured out. She kind of looks through the lens of him being a bad gay. Now she never calls him that in the book, someone else does, but you kind of see that Zeke sees her as the epitome of a ‘good gay’. I think we all have that one person that we idolise and look up to.

Zeke tries but fails, then gives up, which I think is really common in the queer community. Especially when politics are involved. He deals with the concept of being a ‘good gay’ versus a ‘bad gay’ and how, really, we’re all just people who exist. I think his mom tells him: ‘As long as you’re trying, that’s all that matters.’

(Matthew Hubbard)

The whole ‘bad gay’ arc in The Rebel’s Guide To Revenge does such a good job at showing that there’s so much more to figure out after you come out. It goes back to what you were saying about writing through a YA lens and how everything feels so heightened. 

You mentioned navigating politics there, but with everything going on in the world at the moment, with pride events being cancelled, our rights being stripped from us, how did you balance telling a story about that whilst still managing to be empowering?

Matthew Hubbard: Well, I had a completely different idea for this book. I was getting ready to turn my pitch in when I read an article about the state of Tennessee wanting to ban pride and drag performances. And that rooted itself in my head. I’m a huge fan of The Great Gatsby, not the author but the story itself. That wormed its way in my head, how it almost feels like things are no different 100 years later. We’re still being forced to live through a different kind of prohibition. The prohibition of your identity and being able to express that. 

I woke up the next day and decided to add another pitch for book two because I had to get it written down. I wrote it in five minutes, sent it in, and that’s the book my publisher wanted me to write. And then I had to think about it. Think of the queer joy and the empowerment that ties in with it. Highlighting the relationships with his peers and allies and showing that, even though there’s bad in the world, there will always be good. And when you focus on the bad, it’s hard to see that. 

What better way is there to show queer joy than say, a group of teenagers rebelling to throw speakies is just like underground clubs? That whole concept seemed like a really fun way to make the topic accessible. 

Sawyer says it in the book: ‘The first Pride was an uprising. If you haven’t noticed, we’re still having to fight.’

What was your favourite scene to write? Did you have one that you found more difficult?

Matthew Hubbard: My gut instinct is to say in the second half of chapter two, when Zeke is unpacking the shoe box. It was both joyful and difficult for me to write. I had to process my own internalised fears, what things scared me, and how I think Zeke was ashamed and afraid of the Pride flag for so long.

I think one of the fun scenes to write was Zeke trying on his mother’s dress. He expects her to get onto him but she zips him up, compliments him and puts on a necklace. 

I loved that part. Finally, can you tell us a little about what you’re working on next?

Matthew Hubbard: My third book, Drop Dead Handsome, will be coming out next year. It’s inspired by Miss Congeniality and Drop Dead Gorgeous. It isn’t as politically forward as my first two books. I kind of view it as the logical next step in the trajectory. When you have Last Boyfriend’s which is getting to the starting line to fight for your rights, Rebel’s is demanding to exist and making the change. So what do you do after? How do you live your life despite what people are saying? That plays into the story of Drop Dead Handsome. And it’s full on romance. 

The Rebel’s Guide To Pride is out on May 6 2025. You can preorder it here.

Author Matthew Hubbard opens up about his new book, chosen family and fighting for LGBTQ+ rights

Arts & Culture, Books

If you’re looking for empowering, LGBTQ+, joyful young adult reads, look no further: Matthew Hubbard is your new favourite author.

His first two novels, The Last Boyfriend’s Rules For Revenge and upcoming The Rebel’s Guide To Pride, are politically-charged, funny and full of heart.

We spoke to Matthew to find out more about his upcoming release, the inspiration behind his work and why he thinks it’s so important to empower readers in a time of massive political unrest for LGBTQ+ people.

The Rebel’s Guide To Pride is out on 6th May 2025. (Delacorte Press/Random House Children’s Books)

You’ve said you write the stories you wish you had growing up. What kind of impact do you hope RGTP has on young queer readers, especially those in small towns?

Matthew Hubbard: My first book, The Last Boyfriend’s Rules For Revenge, is all about finding your place in the world. Even if you live in a small town, you still get to exist. The Rebel’s Guide To Pride is about demanding to exist. You’re fighting for your space.

I would want readers in small towns to know that they deserve to take up space and that their identity matters. It’s worth fighting for. Stand your ground 100%.

I think that really resonates with Zeke’s story throughout the book. Did your own experiences influence his story in Rebel’s Guide To Pride?

Matthew Hubbard: There’s an infamous shoe box that Zeke has in the very beginning of the book. That shoe box is exactly what growing up felt like to me in small town Alabama. I was putting myself and all the things I was scared of into this metaphorical shoe box and hiding it so I didn’t have to look at or deal with it. It really influenced Zeke’s story. He is unpacking himself, his identity and throughout the book he lets these parts of himself hold space in his new life. 

I’m sure it’s a very universal feeling for queer people, not feeling like you belong. But when you finally get to that place, you start to unpack everything you’ve been afraid of. That really helped me catapult Zeke’s journey throughout the Rebel’s Guide To Pride.

So, obviously, rebellion is a massive theme in the book. What drew you to this and how did it evolve when you were writing Rebel’s?

Matthew Hubbard: I started writing my first book over the Florida House Bill, or Don’t Say Gay. I was upset and angry. They want us to feel helpless, like we can’t do anything, when things like that happen. And I did. So I wanted to do something that I could control. That turned into Last Boyfriend’s Rules For Revenge. So many more people felt like they didn’t have a voice in that moment, and that shaped me into who I am as an author.

With Rebel’s Guide To Pride, I got a little bit more political than I expected through writing about how you can enforce change in your community through local elections and finding allies in those safe spaces. It isn’t something I touch on in Last Boyfriend’s. 

The Rebel’s Guide To Pride is showing that you can fight and demand to exist. You can be seen and actively fight back in your community. It’s about what comes next after you’ve realised you deserve to be there. 

The Last Boyfriend’s Rule For Revenge (Delacorte Press/Random House Children’s Books)

Both of your books are Young Adult, but the things they deal with are quite grown up. What made you tell these stories through the lens of teenagers?

Matthew Hubbard: Going back to when I was a teen, everything felt like life and death. Everything was dramatic. If you didn’t get asked on a date it felt like you were dying inside. And that’s what it feels like with the current situation in the US. Putting it through the lens of a 17-year-old boy shows how it affects his life. It has the biggest impact because of his age. It kind of helped maintain the momentum of what’s destroying our community. He can see it. He can feel it. Throw in some teen angst, ex-boyfriends and all the heightened emotions of being a teenager and it feels like the appropriate catalyst to tell the story.

And you see that life and death mentality in the book through Zeke’s relationship with his mother. Zeke is dramatic whereas his mother is going through the separation from his father and trying to rebuild her life. There’s a difference in their mentalities. She’s concerned about safety and has more perspective on the situation whereas he’s much more keen to make things happen.

Matthew Hubbard: Yeah, his mother definitely thinks first and Zeke thinks second. He acts, or reacts, and she thinks before acting. Realising that I’m old enough to have a 17-year-old really changes the game when you’re writing Young Adult. So I got to put myself in her position and show how important it is that Zeke sees his mother as a human being. She makes mistakes. She’s learning this new way in life as well. It’s two different trajectories for them, but it ends up in the same space. It’s showing how different things affect different people, how they process it and how they react to it was really important to me.

You can definitely see that as they develop through the book. Zeke’s relationship with his parents is a massive part of the development of his character. They both have very different views on, not just his identity, but the decisions he is making about his life and future. How did you develop this when you were writing?

Matthew Hubbard: In my first book, the main character had a very supportive father. I felt like that was important to highlight because I don’t feel like a lot of young adult queer characters have that, especially from the south. And then in Rebel’s, I wanted to flip the script.

What happens when you don’t have that support and you turn to your friends? When your reliance is on having friendships and peers as opposed to adults. His mother isn’t perfect. She’s like, 20 steps behind, but she’s trying. And the father, who I call Jackass using his initials, is the other end of the spectrum. I wanted to show how different parents react to your identity. 

100%. You touched upon it a little there, but found family is a massive part of this book. A big part of queer life is finding those people who support your identity. Was that an important thing for you to showcase in The Rebel’s Guide To Pride?

Matthew Hubbard: Absolutely it is. Speaking for myself, I feel like I found my family when I hit my 30s. I have people around me who consider me an uncle to their kid, not by blood but through those friendships that last a lifetime. It’s so important. Sometimes, in our community, people don’t grow up with that support. It isn’t pre-built like with cis-hetero identity. I’m not saying they take it for granted, but I think it’s hard to realise when you don’t have it. Having love be conditional is so important because when you finally meet the people where love is unconditional, it is life saving and life changing.

You mentioned how, in your first book, the father is very supportive of his son. I loved that. As someone who has a very supportive father, it was refreshing to see that dynamic. I think it’s quite rare to see it that way. 

Matthew Hubbard: Thank you. That’s what I wanted to do. Because, especially where the story is set, you have what people call ‘blue collar workers’. ‘Toxic masculinity’ is usually associated with them, so I wanted to show you a character who wasn’t toxic and who supported his son. That was crucial for me. 

No, thank you! 

Zeke struggles with what it means to be a ‘good gay’ in The Rebel’s Guide To Pride’. Why is that something you chose to explore?

Matthew Hubbard: There was a whole joke with my editor that we should call this book ‘Bad Gays’ when I was writing it. But that whole topic came about while editing my first book. My editor and I were talking about zodiac signs and astrology because I made a joke about it in Last Boyfriend’s. She called it out and said ‘I don’t know what that means, but then again, I feel like a very bad gay because I don’t understand astrology.’ It put the idea in my head of those preconceived notions and what it means to be the stereotypical queer person.

Whenever it involves politics and fighting for what you want, either you’re not saying enough or you’re saying too much. You’re not fighting for what the majority wants. You’re being selfish. All those things are being lobbed at you and you don’t know how to react. Seeing the politics and bills being passed, they have these really confusing ways of being named and numbered. What would it feel like if you were forced into these positions where you had to start paying attention to these things before you were ready? A 17-year-old isn’t ready to bear the weight of what politics can do to cause harm to his community, and he’s trying to figure that out.

We see that Zeke’s best friend, Sawyer, has that all figured out. She kind of looks through the lens of him being a bad gay. Now she never calls him that in the book, someone else does, but you kind of see that Zeke sees her as the epitome of a ‘good gay’. I think we all have that one person that we idolise and look up to.

Zeke tries but fails, then gives up, which I think is really common in the queer community. Especially when politics are involved. He deals with the concept of being a ‘good gay’ versus a ‘bad gay’ and how, really, we’re all just people who exist. I think his mom tells him: ‘As long as you’re trying, that’s all that matters.’

(Matthew Hubbard)

The whole ‘bad gay’ arc in The Rebel’s Guide To Revenge does such a good job at showing that there’s so much more to figure out after you come out. It goes back to what you were saying about writing through a YA lens and how everything feels so heightened. 

You mentioned navigating politics there, but with everything going on in the world at the moment, with pride events being cancelled, our rights being stripped from us, how did you balance telling a story about that whilst still managing to be empowering?

Matthew Hubbard: Well, I had a completely different idea for this book. I was getting ready to turn my pitch in when I read an article about the state of Tennessee wanting to ban pride and drag performances. And that rooted itself in my head. I’m a huge fan of The Great Gatsby, not the author but the story itself. That wormed its way in my head, how it almost feels like things are no different 100 years later. We’re still being forced to live through a different kind of prohibition. The prohibition of your identity and being able to express that. 

I woke up the next day and decided to add another pitch for book two because I had to get it written down. I wrote it in five minutes, sent it in, and that’s the book my publisher wanted me to write. And then I had to think about it. Think of the queer joy and the empowerment that ties in with it. Highlighting the relationships with his peers and allies and showing that, even though there’s bad in the world, there will always be good. And when you focus on the bad, it’s hard to see that. 

What better way is there to show queer joy than say, a group of teenagers rebelling to throw speakies is just like underground clubs? That whole concept seemed like a really fun way to make the topic accessible. 

Sawyer says it in the book: ‘The first Pride was an uprising. If you haven’t noticed, we’re still having to fight.’

What was your favourite scene to write? Did you have one that you found more difficult?

Matthew Hubbard: My gut instinct is to say in the second half of chapter two, when Zeke is unpacking the shoe box. It was both joyful and difficult for me to write. I had to process my own internalised fears, what things scared me, and how I think Zeke was ashamed and afraid of the Pride flag for so long.

I think one of the fun scenes to write was Zeke trying on his mother’s dress. He expects her to get onto him but she zips him up, compliments him and puts on a necklace. 

I loved that part. Finally, can you tell us a little about what you’re working on next?

Matthew Hubbard: My third book, Drop Dead Handsome, will be coming out next year. It’s inspired by Miss Congeniality and Drop Dead Gorgeous. It isn’t as politically forward as my first two books. I kind of view it as the logical next step in the trajectory. When you have Last Boyfriend’s which is getting to the starting line to fight for your rights, Rebel’s is demanding to exist and making the change. So what do you do after? How do you live your life despite what people are saying? That plays into the story of Drop Dead Handsome. And it’s full on romance. 

The Rebel’s Guide To Pride is out on May 6 2025. You can preorder it here.

Sierra Space demonstrates technology for Space Force satellite program

Technology

LOUISVILLE — Sierra Space Corp. has announced a successful demonstration of the company’s Resilient GPS technology for the U.S. Space Force.

The accomplishment, generating all GPS navigation signals required for the R-GPS mission, was achieved in collaboration with Fairfax, Virginia-based General Dynamics Mission Systems. The technology targets the increased need for more resilient GPS systems that protect the United States against adversarial threats such as jamming and spoofing of the current GPS infrastructure.

Global Positioning Satellite technology supports everything from civilian services such as smartphone map applications to military and defense uses. However, as adversarial threats become more advanced, there is an increasing need for more-resilient GPS infrastructure. To address this, the Space Force’s Quick Start program is developing concepts for integrating a layer of smaller and more affordable satellites into the existing GPS framework. The R-GPS layer of smaller GPS satellites would be capable of rapid fielding to counter evolving threats.

“This successful demonstration is a testament to the innovative capabilities of Sierra Space and General Dynamics,” Erik Daehler, vice president of Sierra Space Defense, said in a prepared statement. “This milestone not only underscores our commitment to advancing GPS technology, but positions Sierra Space to be optioned for Phase One, the next step of the U.S. Space Force’s Quick Start program.”

Last September, Sierra Space announced a “Quick Start” R-GPS contract awarded by the Space Force’s Space Systems Command to develop design concepts for smaller, more affordable GPS satellites. Later last year, Sierra Space successfully passed an internal Systems Requirement Review.

“Our country needs GPS satellites with more capability and resiliency at a faster rate, and we are proud to bring our mature, mission-ready and proven portfolio of capabilities to Sierra Space to help the U.S. Space Force achieve these objectives quickly,” Amy Johnson, vice president and general manager for the Space, Cyber & Intelligence Systems line of business with General Dynamics Mission Systems, said in a news release.

The demonstration focused on the satellite’s hardware firmware and software.