Exclusion as an Architectural Design
Star Zahra I have lived several different lives within the span of one. In Nigeria, class is not a static label; it is a pendulum, and I have swung across its entire arc. When I was born, my father, a young man in his twenties already established at the Nigerian Ports Authority as a fireman, […]
The sky beneath our clouds: how class divides can impact wellbeing
By Abhra Pal As a wordsmith myself, I am often mired in the myth that true art form would be one with artlessness. Every progress closer to that artlessness makes us see some form of nihilist beauty of existentialism. The paradox lies in simplicity. I do not know whether the time will come when I make […]
The compelling new book on childhood trauma from the States
Childhood trauma kills 1,401 Americans every day. That’s one death every 61 seconds — more than tobacco, more than car accidents, more than diabetes. It’s the number one cause of addiction, suicide and incarceration. And until now, no one connected the dots. Michael Menard did. In his new book, Greater Than Gravity: How Childhood Trauma Is […]
Welcome to Winter 2025-2026 Hopezine!
Editor’s letter In this special winter edition, we’re focussing on beating addictions with tips from people who have stayed sober for good, to myself knocking a 40-a-day smoking habit on the head. Experts also share their tips on beating all kinds of addictions, and we’ve even discovered beautiful necklaces to help you quit smoking or […]
ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL: The Magic of Marrakesh
By Paul Nicholls I’m Paul Nicholls, and Marrakesh was one of the most memorable trips I’ve taken as a wheelchair user. The city is a whirlwind of colours, sounds, and scents, and navigating it with wheels brings both challenges and unexpected joys. The highlight of my stay was the Park Hyatt Marrakech. From the moment […]
I beat drinking to become a personal trainer
By Paul Tomkins The warning signs were there early. Growing up in an alcoholic household, I started drinking at 14. It seemed to give me confidence I didn’t naturally have – socialising without it was impossible. But it was also escapism, and I’d drink to blackout throughout my teens. Alcohol became my master. A turning […]
ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL: And just like that, I got engaged at the W Sao Paulo!
By Erica Crompton My stay at the W São Paulo was unforgettable, not only because of the hotel’s vibrant energy but also because of how thoughtfully it handles accessibility. As a wheelchair user, I felt genuinely considered at every turn. The entrances are wide and flat, the elevators spacious, and the common areas are laid […]
Gaming Addiction: How Young Men Lose Control and How They Get It Back
By Lee Hawker, Clinical Programs Director, The Edge Gaming has become one of the dominant global pastimes for young men, and for many it’s a healthy outlet. But for others, it slowly becomes the organizing principle of their lives. By the time they arrive at The Edge, they’re not “lazy” or “unmotivated”, they’re trapped in a […]
Finding light in the smallest things
By Omorogieva Sylvester Ihonwa Some days, it only takes a cup of tea to save you. There was nothing special about that Tuesday. The Lagos sky was steel-grey, and my neighbour’s generator rattled like a grumpy beast. I’d been counting my sober days on a scrap of receipt tapes to the fridge, making little tally […]
From the Pit to Freedom
By Derek Slayter I didn’t wake up one day and decide to destroy my life. It started small—just smoking pot with friends in high school. It felt harmless, like just being part of the group. But small compromises became a pattern, and that pattern grew into a path I never meant to walk. Pills came […]