Welcome back! Would you “rough it in the woods” to find clarity? That’s what one millennial did when she went to a weekend sleepaway camp. The women she met there completely changed her perspective on aging.
On the agenda:
- These twins’ lives were identical until one got colon cancer at 21.
- The best skincare routine and products for men, according to two dermatologists.
- Gen Zers are leaving the white-collar world to work for billionaires.
- A neuroscientist is training to become a super-ager with six daily habits.
But first: You don’t have to fly this holiday season. There’s another way.
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This week’s dispatch
All aboard!
If your family group chat is anything like mine, you’ve already considered just staying put this holiday season. With the airports reeling after mass delays and cancellations due to the government shutdown, it’s not looking pretty — even though the shutdown has lifted.
What if I reminded you that there’s another way? BI’s travel reporter, Joey Hadden, has spent more than 75 hours on Amtrak’s trains, including short- and long-distance routes and overnight trains, reviewing them for comfort, amenities, and even food.
With different rail lines crossing the country — whether you’re traveling north to south or east to west — you don’t have to compromise comfort (albeit a few bumps!) to avoid airport headaches.
In fact, one of Hadden’s favorite ways to travel is by overnight train in an Amtrak roomette or bedroom. Her $400 roomette ticket included “a private enclosed space with two chairs, two beds, and perks such as priority boarding, meals on board, a dedicated attendant, and access to lounges at select stations.” For an extra cost, a bedroom offers even more space.
Before you book — and yes, I checked, there are still rooms available — here are a few things to keep in mind. Hadden notes that WiFi can be spotty, so if you need to stay connected throughout, you may want to consider a backup plan. Also, train food isn’t as bad as it sounds, and some of Hadden’s meals came with three courses.
And a little tip from Hadden before you go: “If you can think of the train ride as part of the journey, you’ll find it much more enjoyable.”
When your identical twin gets cancer
Brinlee and Mariela Luster are identical twins who once shared everything. They went to the same college and studied the same major, and even their parents sometimes struggled to tell their voices apart.
When Brinlee got colon cancer at 21, Mariela was the first to notice that something was wrong. As Brinlee’s diagnosis changed the trajectory of her early 20s, Mariela’s life stayed on track — but she shouldered the guilt of moving forward.
Skincare, simplified
More men are opting for cosmetic procedures, like fillers and eyelid lifts, while overlooking something simpler: a daily skincare routine. Because most skincare products are aimed at women, many men are overwhelmed by the options, Dr. Peter Bittar told BI.
Bittar and Dr. Corey L. Hartman, who are both board-certified dermatologists, shared the best routine for men, keeping it as simple as possible to achieve clear, soft, and youthful skin.
Gen Z’s hottest new gig
As layoffs rip through the white-collar world, many young people are turning to “private staffing.” The jobs are about making the fabulous lives of the wealthy more lavish — think nannies, personal chefs, personal assistants, and the like.
Working for the superrich is a more attractive alternative to climbing the increasingly wobbly corporate ladder. But working for a billionaire can also be nerve-racking.
If you can’t beat ’em, pamper ’em.
Super habits for super-agers
It’s a popular misconception that the brain is like an old computer that inevitably runs down as we age, Johns Hopkins neuroscientist Dr. Majid Fotuhi told BI. He says it’s a living organ that can grow or shrink in response to our daily choices.
He keeps his brain healthy and youthful by engaging in a mix of physical and mental exercises. Those include turning off GPS, forgoing donuts, and taking weekly dancing lessons with his wife.
The goal is to be as sharp at 90 as he is today.
What we’re watching this weekend
- “Freakier Friday”: Now available on Disney+, Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan return for another body-swapping comedy.
- “Madame Web”: On Disney+, you can see the Spider-Woman origin story starring Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney that Marvel wishes it had never made.
- “Nouvelle Vague”: This Netflix movie starring Zoey Deutch is a fictional look at the making of the New French Wave classic “Breathless.”
What to shop
- 25 days of tiny joy: Turn the holiday countdown into a daily treat with one of our favorite Advent calendars. From beauty minis to gourmet bites and quirky gifts for kids or pets, this year’s best options are already selling out.
- Soft sweater, softer price tag: Quince’s viral $50‑ish cashmere sweater blew up for a reason: it’s soft, warm, and for the most part, still shocks the price tag. While it’s not flawless, for the value it hits.
- Rare discount alert: Our favorite joggers from Vuori are on major sale ahead of Black Friday, as are a ton of other bestsellers and styles we love. Our style editors scoured the sale to find the best deals on athleisure and workout gear.
The true cost of colon cancer as a millennial
Five young adults share how early-onset colon cancer reshaped their lives, careers, and finances.
More of this week’s top reads:
- Hollywood is running out of movie stars. With “The Running Man,” Glen Powell could be the next Tom Cruise.
- Gut health is the secret to glowing skin, says a pharmacist in her 40s with a Ph.D in skincare. Follow her three simple diet tips.
- Everything a sports dietitian — and busy mom of two — eats to build muscle and fuel for workouts.
- I trusted AI instead of an agent to buy a home. I saved around $7,000 in fees.
- What in the world is going on with Miss Universe? Here’s everything to know about the 2025 pageant drama.
- Edgar Wright is always all-in.
The BI Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Akin Oyedele, deputy editor, in New York. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York.
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