Engaging and useful stories I enjoyed reading and curating from ILLUMINATION publications
Dear Subscribers,
Happy Weekend!
This is Aiden. I’m a volunteer editor, content curator, and media coordinator of ILLUMINATION Integrated publications on Medium, Substack, and Patreon. I enjoy helping, welcoming, and adding new writers to our pubs, so you can start submitting stories soon. I also own two pubs, Gaming and Videos/Podcasts topics.
My focus is on Substack as Medium does not work for me anymore, and I have also started teaching about Substack on Udemy. So I understand the challenges of freelance writers, especially new ones. Now I have a new series on Medium sharing the scripts of my Substack courses.
I have been curating stories on Medium for a while and completed 330 collections. My curator colleague Dr Michael suggested that I share some of stories published on ILLUMINATION at Digitalmehmet content Ecosystem.
Dr Broadly is an experienced editor and curator. He introduced our curation process in post earlier today.
One of the reasons I create these curated collections on Digitalmehmet content ecosystem as the site has a high domain rating. For example,
Digitalmehmet Content Ecosystem has a high domain rating and can give visibility to your content. For example, Ahrefs domain rating shows 74 with 30000+ backlinks and 700 linking high quality domains. image screen capture from Ahrefs
We now have a new publication called ILLUMINATION Scholar for advanced researchers and academic writers. If you are in that category you might apply. Dr Yildiz announced it today. You can apply via this registration portal.
ILLUMINATION Scholar on Medium: Welcome and Invitation to Contribute
A New Home for Research-Based Writing, Scholarly Articles, and Thought Experiments Written for Discerning Readersmedium.com
It is exciting that soon we will start this publication called ILLUMINATION Scholar. I just read it in a short post by Dr Yildiz today. It is also interesting for the researcher from our community that we will have a peer reviewed journal titled JETN (Journal of Emerging Technologies in Neuroscience) which is coming soon.
Apart from me and Dr Broadly, our new editor Yasmine Lindsay has just started featuring stories and published her first curated collection today. Let’s give her a warm welcome and inspire her to do more. Here is Yas’s great story which has also cool writing tips:
Yassy’s Spotlight Finds #1
Featuring ILLUMINATION voices — and the challenge that will make your own writing unstoppable.medium.com
Dr Broadly is an avid reader but also a senior book editor. He wrote a foreword to the upcoming book of Dr Mehmet Yildiz Substack Mastery Version 2 which I also read the digital copy and listened to the audio on my Google Play. I will write a review too. Here is the foreword:
My Foreword & 5 Star Review of Substack Mastery Version 2
From a person who had no clue about Substack 2 years ago but got a bestseller badge in 2025 thanks to the author of…medium.com
He has also started curating stories and presents them as part of his nostalgia series. He sent his first post after so many months. It is a must read collection ❤️Like me he introduces new writers for further support from our community.
Mike’s Favorite Stories on ILLUMINATION Publications — #227
As an editor and content curator, I feature engaging stories that you may enjoy as well after some quick updates of our…medium.com
We published our second and third curated stories on the new ILLUMINATION Writing Academy on Substack. They are authored by Dr Bronce Rice and Maria Cross curated by Dr Yildiz on Medium too. The submission guidelines is linked in the stories.
Becoming Myself: A Journey Through Healing, Writing, and Living by Dr Bronce Rice
This is a curated story from the ILLUMINATION Writing and Reading Academy, written by a distinguished psychologist and…medium.com
I Followed My Gut, and Then Healed It — By Maria Cross
The third curated story for ILLUMINATION Writing and Reading Academy Readers: My Life in Nutrition by Maria from the UKmedium.com
Dr Yildiz interviewed several great writers recently.
The latest one is Dr Ashish Juneja, PhD
Insightful Conversations with Dr Ashish Juneja, PhD on Digital Economy
Economics Educator, Founder of Digital Economics Hub, Content Marketing Strategist, and Digital Coachmedium.com
Next one is for Dr. Khalid Rahman published:
Insights from Dr Khalid Rahman
A medical researcher, biostatistician, technology innovator, and experienced science communicatormedium.com
This one is for Georgia Kreiger who is a very experienced writer:
Insights from an Emeritus Professor of American Literature: Meet Dr Georgia Kreiger, PhD
Memoirist, Writing Instructor, Book Author, and Teller of Family Secrets on Multiple Writing Platformsmedium.com
Meet Dr Russell Carr who has an interesting life and might inspire you with his wisdom:
Insightful Conversations with Dr Russell Carr, M.D., a Seasoned Psychiatrist
I introduce a talented writer and a healthcare professional with twenty years of experience in psychiatry and…medium.com
Meet Bear Kosik who has also an interesting life and was performing in a show in NYC!
A Heartfelt Conversation with Bear Kosik: Writer, Producer, Performer, and LGBTQ+ Advocate
Reflections on creativity, disability, identity, law, and his role in the cabaret show Cowfolk in NYC on 9 June 2025medium.com
And now let’s meet our hardworking editor Hamid Akhtar:
Insightful Conversations with Hamid Akhtar, Guiding Freelancers
A software programmer turned into a lucrative freelancermedium.com
As part of the Substack Mastery Boost Pilot, we plan to create a complementary landing page for all our contributors. Dr Yildiz introduced the initiative with some samples. If you are interested, you can learn from this post:
Why Every Writer and Book Author Needs a Landing Page
And How I Can Help You Build One That Works
You can also submit your blogs to a new blog directory Dr Yildiz is building for us. Details are in his latest bulletin. He created a registration form for it. Here is his story with details and nuances:
His story about WooCommerce was fantastic because he gives us hope for selling our content and digital products on our our own platforms. His innovations for writers and startups was recognized with an award:
Why My Company Is Recognized Among the Top 50 Innovation Thought Leaders in 2025
How I grow my digital content ecosystem and how creators, freelancers, book authors, and startups benefit from itmedium.com
Dr Yildiz made a great claim and I agreed: If You Don’t Give Something to Substack, It Gives Nothing to You.
After these quick updates, I want to present links to some stories I found among the thousands I enjoyed and featured today. I know not every story might resonate with you, so read and share the ones you like and ignore the rest, maybe for next time.
I also introduce the new writers who joined us today at the end of the post, so you may check out their profiles and stories. They need support.
If you missed the previous version of the featured stories, here is the link:
Look What Aiden Found Today — Episode #289
Favorite stories I read, plus community-nominated pieces tailored for avid readers of ILLUMINATION Publications on…medium.com
FYI, Dr Yildiz is creating a superlearners community on Substack and if you are interested to be a talented alien like him you are invited to be a member with whooping 80% discount to create a big community of polymaths. He explained it in the introduction of his super learning book lately:
Super Learning: How I Accelerated My Learning Effortlessly for a Happier Life
Invitation to Model My Neuroscience-Backed Approach in 12 Easy Steps — An Introduction to the SMART MIND Loop™…medium.com
I also add new writers to ILLUMINATION and its sister publications everyday and introduce them via mini onboarding packs like this latest one today. New writers need to check our master onboarding pack which includes all our policies and submission guidelines. I link it here in case you missed it before.
Links to our submission guidelines:
ILLUMINATION, ILLUMINATION-Curated, ILLUMINATION’ S MIRROR, ILLUMINATION Book Chapters, The Lampshade of ILLUMINATION, Technology Hits, SYNERGY, Readers Hope, Illumination on YouTube, Illumination Gaming, ILLUMINATION Health & Science, Integrated Healthcare, Magnetic Newsletter Pro (Former Substack on ILLUMINATION pub), Substack Mastery Boost, From Zero to Substack Hero, ILLUMINATION’s Blog, EUPHORIA by Dr Mehmet Yildiz
Here is a list of stories I curated from ILLUMINATION publication on Medium.com today. I believe there is something for everyone in this eclectic collection. When you read a story please consider leaving a comment on it and also follow the writer and share their stories.
Featured Stories for Your Enjoyment Today
How Gaming Gave Me a Second Youth and a Few Senior Moments Worth Laughing About Mike Broadly, DHSc
Here’s How I Improved My VO2max After My 60s with Persistence and Guidance. Mike Broadly, DHSc
The Expression / Mutation Impacts of the Longevity Genes Klotho, FOXO3, SIRT1, APOE, BRCA Dr Mehmet Yildiz
What’s a Landing Page and Why Freelancers, Startups, & Book Authors Need Many Dr Mehmet Yildiz
Editor’s Secrets — The Real Tea Brooklyn Grace (editor) This is an important story for new writers from an experienced editor so I am featuring it.
Digitalmehmet Michael Atkinson
How Apple Turned a Movie Launch Into a Tech Product Launch Abhishek A G
Do I Really Have To “Respect” Our Different Beliefs? Human Nature — Laura G Owens — Writer
The Science of First Impressions (Without Faking It) Isla Hendrics
The Courage To be You In Relationships: How Not Be People Pleasing To Find Your Own Voice Justine Jacob
Writers Are Earning 5X More on THIS Platform Than Medium — Here’s How! Kashish Pinjari
Practical Self-Care: Beyond Spa Baths — Sustaining Your Core Energy Keith Williams
I Felt 10 Years Younger by Quitting This One Ingredient — In Just 28 day Lily Wright, RDN
Mistake Eraser: School Edition(10 Things to Stop Doing If You Want to Grow in School) Lookattheant
The Blistered Map: What Burnout Was Trying to Tell Me M.E. Rivers
Learn to See Through Masks: How to Read People, Spot Patterns & Protect Your Energy Marium Rizvi
The Causes of the 1989 Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia Matthew A
Animal Farm by George Orwell as an Allegory of the Bolshevik Revolution Matthew A
How to Start a Profitable Side Hustle in 2025 (With Just Your Laptop) Najfywrites
I Don’t Think There’s A Beginning Or Ending To Anything Nayo Barroso
Before You Quit Writing, Visit Your Article Graveyard pankhuriwrites
Stop! Don’t Put Your iPhone Upside Down in Your Pocket Peter
Your One Source for Academic Books at a Great Cost! Richard Blackmore
5 Things You Should Experience Before You Die S Esoof Siddiq
I Tried Drinking Chia Seeds Daily for a Month — Here’s What Happened Shaheen Parween
We Live in an Age Where Attention Is Currency Sriram Yaladandi
No More Easy Money: YouTube’s 2025 Monetization Policy Targets Low-Effort Content Sukanta Roy
Raising Kids While Climbing Ladders: A Modern Parent’s Guide: Sundusafzal
Digital Minimalism: Why I Deleted Half My Apps and Feel Better Thilini Gnanasena
Before You Even Say Hello — These Are the 7 Things I Notice First in a Woman Thinks Of Nadir
Why YOU are Your Biggest Roadblock Victoria Kelliher, M.Ed. School Counseling
My 4‑Step System for Getting 10,000 Monthly Visitors in Just 1 Hour a Day Yemi Oyedepo
My Step-by-Step Process for Using AI to Rank #1 on Google Yemi Oyedepo
Do Blog Posts Still Matter in 2025? (Especially If You’re Building a Startup)” Zinnia Khokhar
I loved this new book introduction with a lucid dream attached to it by Dr Yildiz:
Introduction to Cellular Intelligence
Stronger Mitochondria, Sharper Brain, and Healthier Life at Any Agemedium.com
I hope you find something interesting in this list.
A Warm Welcome to New Writers Who Joined Us Yesterday
As usual, I keep introducing new writers daily. Here are the ones I introduced yesterday and today, and you can explore their profiles and stories. New writers need support to grow their audience. I add new ones in each collection to help them grow with reader support.
Onboarding New Writers Joining ILLUMINATION Publications Today: #144
Welcome and an acknowledgment of your acceptance to ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications on Medium, with helpful links…medium.com
New writers, please check out the onboarding pack before sending your first drafts
Master Copy for 2025: Onboarding Information for New Writers of ILLUMINATION Integrated…
Welcome and information pack for new contributors to our supportive Publications on Medium, now integrating with…medium.com
Please review these guidelines if you submit your drafts to any of these publications.
ILLUMINATION, Curated Newsletters, SYNERGY (Newsletter Booster), Technology Hits, Health and Science,ILLUMINATION Book Chapters, Readers Hope, ILLUMINATION Gaming,Videos/Podcasts, Magnetic Newsletter Pro, and Substack Mastery Boost.
Welcome to the ILLUMINATION Writing Academy on Substack. Details are in the description section of this video. I can’t wait to see what you will be offering.
ILLUMINATION Writing Academy — Video Introduction on YouTube
I created a short video to introduce our first public publication on Substackmedium.com
Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing this post.
Here is my latest story related to my education program From Zero to Substack Hero on Udemy:
Udemy Still Confuses Substack with Substance
But My 3 Courses of From Zero to Substack Hero Still Made It to the Top 4 When People Searched for “Substack”medium.com
I also began sharing my video scripts on Medium, hoping they might help freelance writers. Sadly, Medium’s algorithm gave them the cold shoulder — no distribution, no visibility, not even a courtesy wave to my 20,000+ followers.
So I am now blogging them on our community site where everyone is welcome, and they will also live proudly in my Substack media publication this month. I also created a landing page for my course From Zero to Substack Hero with encouragement by Dr Mehmet Yildiz who host it. He also invited other freelance writers to focus on landing pages in a story lately. It is a must read story as it can change your growth:
What’s a Landing Page and Why Freelancers, Startups, & Book Authors Need Many
A sample chapter from my upcoming book, Smart Email Marketing and Content Integration for Startups and Freelancersmedium.com
To all creators out there: if your work is being silenced or overlooked, do not take it personally. Find your space, build your audience, and keep going. The Internet is big enough for all of us — and growing communities like ours are proof of that.
Here is to platforms that share, support, and uplift.
You can access the videos of From Zero to Substack Hero Udemy course by subscribing as a basic member for my publication Technology, Gaming, Movies, and Social Media.
Technology, Gaming, Movies, and Social Media | Aiden MC | Substack
This newsletter is to inform and inspire my readers. Click to read Technology, Gaming, Movies, and Social Media, by…aidenmc.substack.com
If you prefer taking the on Udemy, you can use my instructor discount vouchers from the following links:
If you prefer to become a student on Udemy, I have provided significant discounts. Here are the links to discount vouchers for the three levels I created.
From Zero to Substack Hero — Level 1, but still comprehensive
I will publish level 4 soon. Here is what Level 4 is about which I introduced on Illumination Substack Mastery YouTube channel.
If you want some inspiration for Substack especially if you are a YouTuber, TikToker, or Podcasters, you may check out this story.
I will soon start a series of blog posts and TikTok videos to give bite size insights from these videos for education and inspiration purposes as give back to the community.
Celebrating My First 50 Students on Udemy and First 500 Subscribers on Substack
As an appreciation, I offer a 33% discount (max I can do) to my Medium and Substack Friends, and I also donated my…medium.com
I am the owner of the Illumination Videos/Podcasts publication so you are welcome to share links to your YouTube/TikTok videos and podcasts from Substack. Here is the link to the submission guidelines to get you started.
ILLUMINATION Videos and Podcasts: Submission Guidelines 2023
Guidance to writers, podcasters, and YouTubers to write better stories on Mediummedium.com
Here is an inspiring story for YouTubers, TikTokers, and Podcasters.
If You Are a YouTuber, TikToker, or Podcaster, You Might Do Well on Substack
A TikToker recently joined Substack gained thousands of paid subscribersmedium.com
I am a founding member of the Substack Mastery Boost Pilot which was beautifully articulated by my good friend Mike Broadly, DHSc. He explained the value of in a recent story. I am also founding member of this community and enjoy the benefits.
We Are Building a Creative Support Path for Freelance Writers in 2025
We will offer customized services based on the needs of creators, freelancers, and content entrepreneurs with…medium.com
All funds earned from these courses and books will go to the Substack Mastery Boost Pilot program which we initiated in November 2024 which is planned to take until December 2025. Then in 2026 it will be a low cost education and marketing service for freelance writers.
We also opened our first public publication on Substack. It is called ILLUMINATION Writing Academy. Our chief editor Dr Mehmet Yildiz wrote the submission guidelines.
ILLUMINATION Writing Academy: Submission Guidelines 2025
An introduction to our first public publication on $ubstackmedium.com
He published the first curated story written by Yana G.Y. which might inspire and educate you. Yana as a high performer built a business from the scrach, became a bestselling Substack author, earned her first $10,000 and shared her strategy with us.
The First Curated Story of ILLUMINATION Writing Academy
“In August 2024, I Made a Decision that Changed Everything” by Yana G.Y.medium.com
You may check out some landing pages from our community blogs to meet them. Every writer needs a page like that.
If you are a new reader, check out some of my most loved stories from different topics in my writing collection on this platform.
Gaming, Fun, and Humor: The Lifelines That Rescued Me From Social Media’s Grip on My Life
AI Can Now Create Photorealistic Videos From Just a Text Prompt
Finding Comfort in Blocks: How Minecraft Eased My First Time Loneliness and Intense Grief at 17
Get an email whenever Aiden (Illumination Gaming) publishes.
You can find many stories like this on ILLUMINATION-Gaming. If you are a writer, you are welcome to join us by sending your Medium Id via our writer registration portal here.
Welcome to our new site Substackmastery as a source for our contributors and readers.
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