Our Most Talked-About Stories of the Year

Wise & Well readers had a lot to say, especially about these health and wellness articles

Medium readers are an insightful and talkative bunch, and we at Wise & Well revel in your feedback, suggestions, compliments and criticisms. So when I pondered potential year-end roundups, the first that came to mind was a showcase of stories that generated the most reader engagement. Here are 15 of our most-read and most talked-about stories, accompanied by examples of the many thoughtful comments from readers who took the time to join in the conversation and validate the time, effort and joy we put into the research, writing and editing.

You’re Not 50% Mom, 50% Dad Like They Told You
Writer Annie Foley was “gobsmacked” to learn she’s not composed of half Mom and half Dad. Neither are you, she points out. She debunks the myth and explains what really happens when we make little humans.

“Thanks for a fascinating article. I have also read that genes carry ‘memories’ of a person’s ancestors’ lives, for example of their ancestors’ physical response to famine or disease, and that these ‘memories’ can affect how genes are expressed, even a century later.”
— Wise & Well reader Madeleine McDonald