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Michelle Konstantinovsky
Michelle Konstantinovsky is a San Francisco-based journalist who's written on everything from the Beagle Brigade and border walls to cricket farms and TV scheduling for HowStuffWorks. She earned her master's degree from U.C. Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism and she's written on health and wellness topics for outlets including Cosmopolitan, O: The Oprah Magazine, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue and more. Michelle loves music, manatees and terrible teen movies from the early 2000s.
Recent Contributions
Venus de Milo: The Most Famous Armless Statue in the World
The Venus de Milo is one of the most recognized statues in all the world, but why does she have no arms?
Towering Obelisks Are Everywhere. Here's Why They're So Awe-inspiring
Obelisks can be found in cities throughout the world, from Washington, D.C., to Paris, France. But what is the origin of these massive structures?
Hera, Queen of the Gods, Was Both Wife and Sister of Zeus
She was also the goddess of marriage, women, the sky and the stars of heaven.
Mary Edwards Walker: Civil War Surgeon and the Only Female Medal of Honor Recipient
We'll be blunt: Mary Edwards deserves mad respect. She was a feminist and abolitionist; the first female Civil War surgeon in the U.S. Army; and a Civil War POW. Plus she wore pants!
Norse Mythology Is Way More Than Thor
Many of us may have a passing familiarity with Norse mythology because of the 2011 film Thor, but there's a lot more to it than Chris Hemsworth's abs.
Meet Hestia: The Martha Stewart of Greek Goddesses
The goddess of the hearth, Hestia set the Greek bar for perfection in domesticity, hospitality, the family, the home and the state.
The Tragic Life of Joseph Merrick, the 'Elephant Man'
Over 130 years after his passing, the story of Joseph Merrick, the "Elephant Man" can still teach us important lessons about acceptance and love.
Paranoia Will Destroya: When Does Healthy Fear Cross the Line Into Paranoia?
Ever feel like others are out to get you, or that you're in danger even though there's no clear threat? Is this normal in today's crazy world or is paranoia creeping in?
Meet John Cage, the Innovative Composer Behind the 639-year-long Concert
On Sept. 5, 2020, a small crowd gathered in the St. Burchardi church in Halberstadt, Germany, to hear the first sound change in almost seven years to an organ piece by composer John Cage that will go on until the year 2640.
The Late Ram Dass, Renowned Spiritual Leader, Lives on Through His Teachings
By the time Richard Alpert died in 2019, he was better known as Baba Ram Dass and had become a spiritual teacher, psychedelic research pioneer, best-selling author and New Age guru to millions of followers.
You Already Use Heuristics Every Day. Here's What They Are
Heuristics are rule-of-thumb strategies that help us shorten decision-making time and solve problems quickly and effortlessly.
What Rumi, the World's Most Popular Poet, Wants to Teach Us, 800 Years Later
Born in 1207 as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, the Sufi mystic and Persian poet wrote a staggering amount of verse, and is still beloved and widely influential to this day.
What's the Difference Between a Dugong and a Manatee?
Their mamas may be the only ones who can tell them apart, but there are major differences between these cousins, one being the type of water in which they can survive.
RBG's Iconic Collars Spoke Volumes
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wore her heart on her sleeve — or her decision on her neck, to be more precise.
Jacques Cousteau: The Man Who Brought the Ocean Into Our Homes
Jacques-Yves Cousteau inspired an entire generation to take an interest in the deep sea and was one of the first to warn of the peril of its destruction.
Calamity Jane Rode Hard, Drank Even Harder and Became a Wild West Legend
Martha Jane Canary was a woman trying to make it in a man's world at a time when societal strictures held women tightly bound to norms of femininity. They called her Calamity Jane and here is her story.
Dionysus Was the Greek God With a Dual Personality
With two sides to his personality, Dionysus represents joy, ecstasy and merriment, but also brutal and blinding rage, representing the dual effects of overindulgence.
How New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Became a Political Superstar
She was the youngest New Zealand leader elected in over 150 years and has won plaudits for her handling of the coronavirus epidemic. We get the backstory on Jacinda Ardern and her many achievements.
Box Breathing Could Help Curb Your Freak-out Moments
Stressed out because of work, kids' virtual school and a raging pandemic? Box breathing might be just the chill pill you need.
Oleander Is a Poisonous Plant, Not a Cure for COVID-19
Despite being pretty in pink, oleander is a highly poisonous plant. And now it's being touted as a cure for COVID-19. We'll break down the facts from fiction.
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