I'm a writer at The Atlantic. Formerly at The New York Times, GQ, and Gawker.
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Such Sweet Sorrow
How my trip to quit sugar for one week became a journey into hell.
Photo illustration by Hannah Whitaker for The New York Times
America Must Free Itself from the Tyranny of the Penny
What I learned about pennies will shock you, and hopefully the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States.
Photo: Jamie Chung for The New York Times
One City’s Secret to Happiness: The Annual Burning of a 50-Foot Effigy
A profile of Zozobra, a monster that lives in the mountains outside Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Photo: Thomas Prior for The New York Times
What Is Glitter?
A journey into the glittery heart of darkness for The New York Times.
Photo: Chris Maggio for The New York Times
Everybody Knows Flo From Progressive. Who Is Stephanie Courtney?
A profile of Stephanie Courtney, who has portrayed Flo in ads for the insurer Progressive for more than 15 years.
Photo: Sinna Nasseri for The New York Times
My Brilliant Strangers
I went on a package trip for Millennials who travel alone. Help me.
Photo: Rosie Marks for The New York Times
Could I Survive the “Quietest Place on Earth”?
Legends tell of a chamber in an old Minneapolis recording studio that drives visitors insane. I figured I’d give it a whirl.
Photo: Alec Soth/Magnum for The New York Times
The Tao of Wee Man
A profile of “Jackass” star Jason “Wee Man” Acuña for The New York Times Magazine.
Photo: Chris Buck for The New York Times
I Lived The #VanLife. It Wasn’t Pretty.
Traveling California by van for The New York Times Magazine.
Photo: Caity Weaver
Cher Everlasting
An interview with Cher for The New York Times Magazine.
Photo: Christopher Anderson
Can We Learn Anything From Horses?
An exploration of horse “attunement” in Santa Fe, N.M. for The New York Times.
Photo: Ramsay de Give for The New York Times
There Is No Reason to Cross the U.S. by Train. But I Did It Anyway.
An account of a transcontinental Amtrak trip for The New York Times Magazine.
Photo: Holly Andres for The New York Times Magazine
What Makes an American Hero? (Or a Canadian One?)
A profile of the Carnegie Hero Fund, which, for over 100 has privately rewarded for everyday heroes.
Photo: Nancy Andrews for The New York Times
Who Is Sam Asghari, Britney Spears’s Fiancé?
An interview with Sam Asghari for The New York Times.
Photo: Ryan Pfluger for The New York Times
How Maya Rudolph Became the Master of Impressions
A profile of Maya Rudolph for The New York Times Magazine.
Photo: Alex Prager for The New York Times. Painting by Vanessa Prager
The Reality Behind ‘Below Deck’
A behind-the-scenes visit to the set of a behind-the-scenes show for The New York Times.
Photo: Albert Bonsfills Morell for The New York Times
The Secret to Beauty: A Stranger’s Hands Inside Your Mouth
An exploration of a $285 facial for The New York Times.
Photo: Vincent Tullo for The New York Times
I Also Went to the Royal Wedding
An account of me pulling off the scam of a lifetime by getting my job to send me to cover the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (from “Suits”).
Photo: Alexander Coggin for The New York Times
Meetings. Why?
Searching for an explanation of why meetings occur for The New York Times.
Screen capture from video by Paul Windle
I’m Working Remotely. Can I Keep Hiding My Secret Baby?
Installment of the “Work Friend” advice column for The New York Times.
Photo: Margeaux Walter for The New York Times