Author Archives: Betsy Arant (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

“Antidotes to Fear of Death” by Rebecca Elson

A poet and astronomer grapples with the fearsome beauty of death
Posted on June 25, 2020 by Betsy Arant (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Astronomer Rebecca Elson was only 29 and in the prime of her scientific career when she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Elson had received degrees from both Cambridge and Princeton and was the youngest scientist to ever serve on the … Continue reading →

Posted in The Next Chapter | Leave a comment

Scientists Create First 3D Map of the Heart’s Nervous System

A groundbreaking new study could be the key to treating heart disease
Posted on June 8, 2020 by Betsy Arant (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

A team of researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have created the first 3D map of the heart’s nervous system. This breakthrough has major implications for both neurology and cardiology, and could lead to the improved treatment of heart disease, heart … Continue reading →

Posted in Science of Us | Leave a comment

“Nothing Compares 2 U” by Prince Rogers Nelson

Sinead O'Connor turned the rock star's forgotten gem into an enduring ode to loss
Posted on June 2, 2020 by Betsy Arant (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

In 1990, Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor exploded onto the American music scene with her music video “Nothing Compares 2 U.” Eschewing the sort of flashy exuberance that characterized MTV’s hits at the time, the video was starkly intimate, featuring a … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressive Music | Leave a comment

How Do We Safely Mourn Loved Ones Lost to COVID-19?

The coronavirus has changed everything, including the way we grieve
Posted on May 22, 2020 by Betsy Arant (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

In the era of social distancing, we’ve been forced to reimagine the rituals in our lives that revolve around physical closeness. Birthday parties are on hold. Graduations are being held over Zoom. Weddings are being postponed. But what about funerals? … Continue reading →

Posted in Something Special | Leave a comment

A New World of Street Art Has Emerged Under Lockdown

With galleries and museums closed to the public, artists take to the streets
Posted on May 17, 2020 by Betsy Arant (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Since the coronavirus outbreak, we live in altered landscapes. Skies have cleared; highways are quiet. Stages and stadiums lie eerily vacant, and on a walk through your local downtown, you’re likely to be faced with dark windows and empty streets. … Continue reading →

Posted in Soulful Expressions | 4 Comments

“Council of Dads” by Bruce Feiler

In difficult times, we turn to family — the ones we're born with and the ones we choose
Posted on May 1, 2020 by Betsy Arant (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Bruce Feiler was a successful author at the height of his career when doctors discovered a malignant tumor in his leg. The 44-year-old father of two was given three devastating possibilities: “The lost year, the lost leg, or the lost … Continue reading →

Posted in Lending Insight | Leave a comment