menu_open Columnists
Heather Wake

Heather Wake

Upworthy

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Guy accidentally receives gender reveal cake, hilariously gives the reveal himself

Guy accidentally receives gender reveal cake, hilariously gives the reveal himself

Content creator Nick Wilkins had expected a cake to show up for his upcoming birthday. What he didn’t expect was a custom gender reveal cake...

yesterday 2

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Mom films her daughter reading a children’s book. Her emotional investment captivates millions.

Mom films her daughter reading a children’s book. Her emotional investment captivates millions.

Learning to read is a slow, deliberate process for kids. The required methodical connecting of speech sounds to the letter patterns they see on the...

yesterday 2

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Woman with cancer apologizes to Rihanna for her appearance. Rihanna has the best response.

Woman with cancer apologizes to Rihanna for her appearance. Rihanna has the best response.

Listen, would Rihanna telling you that “you’re fire” fix all the problems in your life? No. But would it, even if for a moment, make life feel...

tuesday 3

Upworthy

Heather Wake

How to answer France’s most popular inside joke played on English speaking tourists

How to answer France’s most popular inside joke played on English speaking tourists

If you find yourself in France and the name Brian pops up, there’s a good chance it’ll be met with the question, “Where is Brian?” There is...

tuesday 3

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Christopher Nolan’s mirror trick for shooting ‘The Odyssey’ feels inspired by an actual Greek myth

Christopher Nolan’s mirror trick for shooting ‘The Odyssey’ feels inspired by an actual Greek myth

The Odyssey might be an age-old tale, but director Christopher Nolan has nonetheless incorporated truly cutting-edge techniques in his film...

13.07.2026 3

Upworthy

Heather Wake

People rally behind an older woman who refused to train her 25-year-old replacement

People rally behind an older woman who refused to train her 25-year-old replacement

When an older employee was asked to train a 25-year-old to do the same job she’d been doing for as long as the young recruit had been alive, she had...

11.07.2026 4

Upworthy

Heather Wake

A song in a bank commercial was never destined to be a hit. Then the Carpenters saw the ad.

A song in a bank commercial was never destined to be a hit. Then the Carpenters saw the ad.

Sure, there are old-school commercial jingles that live in our heads rent-free. But a special few have actually gone on to become full-blown...

10.07.2026 5

Upworthy

Heather Wake

In 1971, at a Disneyland gig, Linda Ronstadt unknowingly created one of rock’s biggest bands

In 1971, at a Disneyland gig, Linda Ronstadt unknowingly created one of rock’s biggest bands

By 1971, Linda Ronstadt was already a local music legend verging on a major breakthrough. To accompany her country-folk rock sound for her brief Silk...

10.07.2026 3

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Her groundbreaking theory on the origin of life was rejected 15 times. Then biology proved her right.

Throughout her prolific and distinguished career, biologist Lynn Margulis made several groundbreaking contributions to science that we take for...

10.07.2026 3

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Yes, cats do treat men and women differently. Researchers say it’s all in the meows.

Yes, cats do treat men and women differently. Researchers say it’s all in the meows.

If you think your cat might be a little sexist, there’s now some scientific proof to back it up.  Modern research has continued to reveal that a...

09.07.2026 9

Upworthy

Heather Wake

‘Pajamas’, ‘Checkmate’, and other common English words you had no idea were Farsi

‘Pajamas’, ‘Checkmate’, and other common English words you had no idea were Farsi

Most people can spot a French or Spanish loanword in English. But there are dozens of words woven into everyday conversation that trace back to an...

09.07.2026 4

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Researchers reveal the surprising No. 1 predictor of someone staying your best friend

Researchers reveal the surprising No. 1 predictor of someone staying your best friend

Throughout our lives, we will encounter many different types of friends. Some last only for a season; others stay with us through myriad chapters....

07.07.2026 7

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Teachers get honest about the 7 things in education ‘no one wants to admit’ but are absolutely true

Teachers get honest about the 7 things in education ‘no one wants to admit’ but are absolutely true

School really only serves one purpose: provide a nurturing environment for students to learn. But that singular task seems to grow more herculean for...

07.07.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

28-year-old shares her funny texts with 75-year-old male roommate. People love their unlikely friendship.

28-year-old shares her funny texts with 75-year-old male roommate. People love their unlikely friendship.

Three years ago, 28-year-old Rylie Middaugh found herself in a “major life change” that brought her across the country to Oregon to begin her...

07.07.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Backpackers met in the ’90s, felt a spark, and lost touch. A clever plan got them back together.

Backpackers met in the ’90s, felt a spark, and lost touch. A clever plan got them back together.

Kate Latkovic is proving that sometimes love plays out just like it does in the movies. Recently, the 25-year-old shared the story of how her parents,...

06.07.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

17 nurses are pregnant at the same Ohio hospital. They plan to bring each other’s babies into the world.

17 nurses are pregnant at the same Ohio hospital. They plan to bring each other’s babies into the world.

In a few months, it’s going to be a very busy time for 17 Labor and Delivery Unit nurses in Dayton, Ohio’s Miami Valley Hospital.  Back in 2019,...

06.07.2026 9

Upworthy

Heather Wake

9 common English words and phrases that take on entirely different meanings in England

Evan Edinger, an American-British YouTuber living in London who often shares playful comparisons between life in the two countries, recently...

05.07.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

15 years ago, a Russian gymnast was interrupted by her 2-year-old daughter. It became a historic performance.

In 2005 at only 18 years old, Russian rhythmic gymnast Svetlana Putintseva became a world champion, after which she retired and eventually became a...

05.07.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

James Cameron never would have agreed to use ‘My Heart Will Go On’ in ‘Titanic.’ One mistake changed everything.

Hear just those beginning flutes of “My Heart Will Go On,” and you are instantly transported to James Cameron’s Titanic. It’s one of the many...

03.07.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Obama chokes up watching a video from the 24-year-old he exchanged letters with when she was 7

Former President Barack Obama recently appeared on Today’s Glass Half Full podcast, speaking with host Craig Melvin. While the conversation mostly...

02.07.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Fireworks were ‘discovered’ in China 2000 years ago. How did they become a 4th of July staple?

America’s 250th anniversary will take place on July 4, 2026. For many, this means gathering in the evening to witness dazzling displays of...

01.07.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Woman swears by this ‘reverse decluttering’ method for making tidying up easier

For many of us, decluttering feels like death by a thousand choices. Whether it’s decision fatigue, or sentimentality, or a bit of scarcity fear, we...

01.07.2026 9

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Long Island family sells homemade ice cream out of their small boat, and locals are obsessed

A Long Island family has found a way to make their small business feel like a summer vacation.  For the Mann family, serving up delicious sweet...

30.06.2026 6

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Helicopters dump 6,000 logs into rivers in the Pacific Northwest, fixing a decades-old mistake

For decades, river restoration in the Northwestern United States followed a simple rule: if you saw logs in the water, take them out. Clean streams...

30.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Minnesota artist uses vending machine to sell tiny $1 art. It’s already made $3,000.

Spend 30 seconds online, and you’ll be inundated with AI slop posing as “art.” As expedient but utterly soulless computer-generated images...

29.06.2026 7

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Woman finds old Rolodex of forgotten New York gems, and it becomes a heartwarming tribute

Thirty-one-year-old Mari Huang had only just moved to New York City when she stumbled upon an estate sale of a woman who lived in the Upper East Side....

27.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

The scandalous reason Americans say ‘Merry Christmas’ while Brits say ‘Happy Christmas’

The term “Merry Christmas” is one of the most wholesome phrases known to man. But did you know it was once condemned as sacrilegious? And while...

27.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

‘X-Men’ star warns men to ‘check yourselves’ after surprising breast cancer diagnosis

When X-Men actor and former wrestler Tyler Mane noticed a lump in his chest, he didn’t think much of it. But at his wife’s urging, he went to get...

26.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

5 years ago, 2 beavers were released into a northern England forest. They became heroes of the habitat.

Beavers now have a proven track record of being ecosystem heroes, healing rivers from centuries of human-made damage in a matter of years.  Their...

25.06.2026 7

Upworthy

Heather Wake

How one woman made Vincent van Gogh, and the myth of the tortured artist, famous

When we think of tortured geniuses, few come to mind as quickly as Vincent van Gogh. Throughout his decade-long career, he battled extreme poverty,...

25.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

California gets rid of confusing grocery store policy that’s led to food waste for years

For years, people have been left dumbfounded by the plethora of food label dates carried by grocery stores. The dizzying array of over 50 date-related...

24.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Former homeless man in Texas becomes a master gardener and now grows free food for his community

In Fort Worth, Texas, you’ll find rows of lush garden beds filled with vegetables, herbs, and flowers—all cared for by a man named Ahmad Houston,...

24.06.2026 9

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Iowa news anchor’s emotional farewell is an eye-opening call for ‘facts’ in journalism

Dustin Nolan has worked as an anchor for Iowa’s KWQC TV6 (an NBC affiliate) since 2022. Just last year, he and his wife took home a Mid-America Emmy...

23.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Grandpa attends funeral for his 15-year-old grandson, then bursts into dance

Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of death and grief that some readers may find distressing. The last thing you might expect at something...

20.06.2026 8

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Young people recreate the iconic ‘Peanuts’ dance, bringing wholesome joy to all ages

There are so many reasons why A Charlie Brown Christmas remains a beloved holiday watch, no matter what age you are. Between the nostalgic animation,...

20.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Physicist-turned-tech CEO bought his 30 employees a $3,000 cooling mattress cover to boost productivity

We’ve all felt what it’s like to go to work after a night of terrible sleep. It’s not ideal. Last year, one CEO decided to tackle this issue...

20.06.2026 7

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Study finds that Venus’s alluring stare in Botticelli’s most famous painting may have pointed to a tragic diagnosis

Second only perhaps to Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus is the most recognizable painting of the Renaissance. This depiction of...

20.06.2026 7

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Privacy is a newer human invention than even agriculture. What the heck did we do before we had it?

Privacy is both an essential and a luxury. Most of us, regardless of socioeconomic status, are separated from our neighbors by walls. Sometimes you...

17.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Adobe houses can last thousands of years and barely cost anything to make. Here’s why they’re banned.

Adobe bricks, made of raw earth mixed with straw or another fibrous substance, are about as old as civilization itself. The word “adobe” traces...

17.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Every year, people cram into a library in Maine to see a single page being turned

For a decade, upwards of 50-70 people have crowded into the Special Collections & Archives room of the Bowdoin Library in Maine each month to take...

16.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Mom sparks thoughtful debate with 11 ‘crazy’ postpartum rules she swears by

A mom named Chantal Wijbrandi recently shared her 11 rules for postpartum care that might seem unconventional (or, as she put it, “crazy”) to...

15.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

How embracing the ‘Empty Boat Theory’ can help you keep anger and anxiety in check

We all have moments where it feels like the world is against us. When we assume people are thinking negatively about us, we act accordingly by...

15.06.2026 20

Upworthy

Heather Wake

18-year-old took her college savings and bought the restaurant where she was a dishwasher

Eighteen-year-old Samantha Frye has traded college life for entrepreneurship, and she has no regrets. Frye began working at Rosalie’s Restaurant in...

13.06.2026 20

Upworthy

Heather Wake

12 photos of women before and after an orgasm shines a new light on women’s sexual wellness

You might recall Marcos Alberti’s mega-viral “3 Glasses” project from 2016, in which he photographed people after they had consumed one,...

13.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Woman swallows AirPod thinking it was a vitamin and decides to film each day until…you know

Many a parent (be that of fur babies or human babies) has had to deal with their loved one swallowing something they shouldn’t. But with 31-year-old...

12.06.2026 20

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Baby born with incredibly beautiful hair looks like he’s a younger version of Maui from ‘Moana’

Some babies are born ready to rock out, and little Lucio is one of them. Lucio first took the internet by storm in April 2025 when his mom, Naya...

11.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Hugh Laurie responds to criticism that ‘House’ was too repetitive. But it’s the conversation after that’s really worth noting.

When writer Janet Murray took to X to make a joke about the repetitive formula of the Fox TV medical series House, she certainly didn’t expect a...

10.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Hairstylist shares difference between Gen Z and Millennial salon goers with hilarious accuracy

While millennials and Gen Zers often get lumped together as the “young group,” they are certainly not the same. (Although it is kind of hard to...

10.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

Airbnb host wakes guest in the middle of the night so she doesn’t miss the northern lights

Seeing the northern lights is a common bucket list adventure for many people. After all, it ticks a lot of boxes—being a dazzling light show, rich...

10.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake

California principal has the best response to a mom questioning her Pride shirt in the carpool line

A video from a California elementary school capturing a tense exchange between a principal and a woman over a Pride shirt has resurfaced online. In...

10.06.2026 10

Upworthy

Heather Wake