In this month’s cover story, Brian O’Connor reflects on a 1,000-mile road trip to Georgia for his son’s baseball tournament and the valuable, uninterrupted conversations that happened alonthe way. He shares how summer gives us permission to slow down, disconnect from daily routines, and focus on the experiences and relationships that matter most. As September approaches, Brian encourages readers to carry that mindset forward by making time for meaningful conversations and ordinary moments.

Also featured in this issue:

• Staying Connected in a Busier Life: Insights on how parenthood changes the dynamics of friendships, offering practical advice on setting new expectations, communicating openly about time, and maintaining connections amidst busy schedules.

• The Million-Dollar Ride Home: A wild legal story from Arizona involving a recently released inmate who stole a semitruck carrying 10 C8 Corvettes worth over $1.25 million, leading to high-speed pursuit and multiple felony charges.

• The Snack Theaters Tried to Ban: The history of popcorn in movie theaters, tracing how theater owners went from banning the noisy, messy snack in the silent film era to embracing it as a primary revenue generator during the Great Depression.

• Where Relationships Meet Liability: An overview of alienation of affection lawsuits, highlighting a high-profile case filed in North Carolina involving former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema.

• Refreshing Gazpacho: A cool summer recipe for traditional chilled tomato and vegetable soup served with crispy toasted baguette slices.