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Chicken Piccata – Spend With Pennies

Foodies

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September 24, 2024

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Chicken piccata is one of my all-time favorite dishes, and it’s SO easy to make!

Chicken breasts are lightly browned and simmered in a bright lemon caper white wine sauce. Serve over pasta or with crusty bread.

This recipe comes together quickly for a delicious weeknight favorite.

a skillet of chicken piccata with lemon slices and capers

This is a restaurant-quality dish that comes together quickly.
It uses simple ingredients that I always have on hand.
It seems fancy, but it’s actually quite easy to make!
The sauce is bright and flavorful with lemon, capers, and wine (or broth).

What Is Chicken Piccata?

Piccata is a dish with meat in a buttery lemon caper sauce. Piccata is usually served over pasta.

This is a chicken piccata recipe; however, it can also be made with veal or shrimp—you’ll find a 20-minute shrimp piccata in my cookbook. The sauce is vibrant but delicate, so I prefer to serve it with thinner pasta such as angel hair or light linguine.

chicken , capers , parsley , lemon , oil, broth and seasonings to make Chicken Piccata with labels

Unlock the Magic of Chicken Piccata

Chicken: Choose small, skinless, boneless chicken breasts for this recipe. You can also use chicken cutlets or boneless skinless chicken thighs in this recipe.
Broth: Chicken broth is the base of this piccata sauce, adding flavor while balancing the lemon so it’s not overpowering. A simple butter and flour roux thickens it up.
Lemon: Fresh lemon adds the best flavor, I also add zest to the flour mix.
Capers: Capers have a tangy, briny, salty flavor and are delicious. You can replace capers with chopped green olives, chopped artichoke hearts, or even a very small amount finely chopped anchovy.
Wine: Choose a dry white wine like pinot grigio or replace the wine with additional broth.

How to Make Chicken Piccata

The Chicken: Pound the chicken and dredge it in the flour mixture. Brown brown it on each side in a large skillet or braiser.
The Sauce: Add the flour and butter to the pan. Slowly add the broth. Then add the lemon juice, capers, and wine. Simmer until thickened.
The Final Touch: Add the chicken to the sauce until heated through.

Holly’s Helpful Tips

If the chicken breasts are around 6oz each, gently pound to ½-inch thick. If they’re larger, you can cut them in half crosswise before pounding. This will help them to cook quickly and evenly.

To pound chicken, place the chicken on a cutting board and cover it with plastic wrap (to avoid splatter). Use the flat side of a meat tenderizer or a rolling pin to gently pound the chicken.

Pan-frying in batches helps the chicken to brown better.

What to Serve With Chicken Piccata

Pasta: Chicken piccata has a delicious buttery lemon sauce, and it’s great over a long, thin pasta like angel hair or spaghettini.

Other starches: It can also be served with mashed potatoes, rice, noodles or a big chunk of crusty bread for dipping (if you haven’t tried my easy artisan bread, it’s a favorite).

Veggies: I love to pair this easy chicken piccata recipe with a fresh green veggie like broccoli, asparagus, green beans, or Brussels sprouts.

Pucker Up With These Fresh Lemon Favorites

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Did you enjoy this Chicken Piccata Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

4.98 from 382 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Chicken Piccata Recipe

Chicken piccata has tender chicken breasts simmered in a lemony white wine sauce with capers.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Using a meat mallet, gently pound each chicken breast to ½-inch thick. See notes for larger chicken breasts.
Combine the all-purpose flour, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Dip each chicken breast in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
In a 10-inch skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken in two batches for 4 to 5 minutes per side or until lightly browned and cooked through (165°F). Remove from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet. Whisk in the flour, scraping up any brown bits, and cook for 2 minutes.
Gradually add the chicken broth, whisking until smooth after each addition.
Add lemon juice, white wine, and capers. Simmer for 3 minutes, whisking occasionally.
Add the chicken back into the skillet, and simmer in the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Stir in the chopped parsley and serve.

Chicken: If the chicken breasts are very large (over 7oz), cut them in half crosswise and pound to ½-inch thick if needed. It can be replaced with chicken thighs or veal—adjust cooking time as needed.
Sauce: Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. Capers can be replaced with finely chopped green olive if desired.
Serving: I love chicken piccata with a thin pasta like linguini or angel hair pasta. It can also be served with mashed potatoes or rice. Serve with roasted asparagus, steamed broccoli, or roasted cauliflower pair well.
Fresh minced garlic can be added to the butter in the skillet if desired.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Chicken, Dinner, Entree, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian, Mediterranean

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

close up of Chicken Picatta in a pan with lemon slices and capers with writing

savory Chicken Picatta in the pan with writing

tender Chicken Picatta in a pan and close up photo with a title

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2024 Volunteerism in the Arts Award! — BC Alliance for Arts …

People & culture

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September 24, 2024

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Nominations Are Currently Open for the 2024 Volunteerism in the Arts Award!

Do you know an outstanding volunteer who’s making a big impact in BC’s arts and culture community? Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 Volunteerism in the Arts Award!

Award Details:

The winner will be announced on September 25, 2024!

Eligible volunteers must be working with a BC-based arts organization and interested in growing their experience in the sector. Cultural organizations are encouraged to nominate a standout volunteer by submitting a letter of support recognizing their incredible contribution.

Deadline: September 20, 2024. Click here for the application form.

The award is administered by BC Alliance for Arts + Culture and Vancouver Foundation, and was founded by the organizing committee at the Celebrate Volunteerism Conference.

Let’s celebrate those who give their time and energy to enrich BC’s arts and culture!

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Art, history, and culture: Tokyo’s 10 best museums

Travels

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September 24, 2024

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Art, history, and culture: Tokyo’s 10 best museums

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There is no city more diverse and vivacious than Tokyo. It’s a place where historic shrines and ancient temples mix with modernity, showcasing how this forward-thinking city embraces its traditions as it moves into the future. There are so many things to do in Tokyo that give travellers a chance to connect with the culture, learn about Japan’s lengthy history, and admire its long-standing traditions. But if you’re short on time, the best place to start is one of these world-class Tokyo museums.

1. Tokyo National Museum

If you only have time for one museum, then the Tokyo National Museum is it for a well-rounded blend of art, history, and culture. As Japan’s largest museum, it contains over 120,000 items (though not all on display at once), and boasts the largest collection of Japanese art in the world.

The highlight of the museum is the Main Hall (Honkan), which is the first gallery you enter. It contains a huge collection of Japanese art, from sculptures to calligraphy to authentic kimonos to historic Samurai swords.

Another inspiring stop is the Asian Gallery (Toyokan), featuring ancient artefacts and archaeological findings from across Asia, east of Egypt.

A large white building, one of the grounds of the Tokyo National Museum

Explore Japan’s old and new on: Japan: Tokyo Nights & Kyoto Temples

2. The National Museum of Modern Art (MOMAT Tokyo)

The National Museum of Modern Art is a well-curated art museum known for its huge collection of Japanese art from the Meiji period (1868-1912) to today. The museum celebrates a range of different styles and mediums, from Western-style artwork and oil paintings to traditional Sumi-e style (ink brush) artwork. It’s particularly noted for its collection of Ukiyo-e woodblock prints — 8,000 of them in total, coming from all around the world.

What sets MOMAT apart is that it only shows 200 pieces from its 13,000-strong collection at one time, showcased in a series of 12 themed rooms. Because most of the museum is made of temporary exhibits, every time you visit there is something unique to experience.

3. teamLab Planets

teamLab Planets is probably the most mind-bending art installation in Japan. It’s the best example of the nation’s pioneering position in the digital space and leadership in cutting-edge technology.

As an immersive experience, teamLab Planets invites guests to remove their shoes and walk barefoot through its four large exhibit spaces and engage with digital installations that blur the lines between art and nature.

A nighttime shot of the teamLabs building with a glowing 'lavalamp' type of installation in front

Walk on water, pick up the light, and become one with the flowers — you are as much part of the installation as the sounds, lights, and special effects. As you walk through, the art changes as your body moves and interacts with it.

teamLab is a collective effort, created by a group of artists, engineers, programmers, and CG animators who call themselves “ultra-technologists.” teamLab Planets began in 2018, after the team’s debut teamLab Borderless was a huge success, and will exhibit until 2027.

See more marvels of modernity on: Epic Japan: Speed Trains & Street Food

4. Yayoi Kusama Museum

Yayoi Kusama is one of the most influential modern artists in Japan, known for her eccentric style and avante-garde pieces. She’s famously known for using vibrant colours and repeating patterns. She also holds the nickname ‘Princess of Dots’ for her enthusiastic use of polka dots in her pieces.

A building with pokedots and huge butterfly art on the front of it

The Yayoi Kusama Museum is the only museum dedicated to the artist, though you need a plan as only 200 timed-entry tickets are sold each day. This allows visitors a more intimate experience and avoids overcrowding in the tiny museum.

The museum presents Kusama’s most famous pieces, from her earlier years up until the present day, and was curated by the artist herself. There’s also a special space where she showcases her brand-new work, as well as hosting special exhibits that change twice yearly.

5. Mori Art Museum

Opening in 2003 on the 53rd and 54th floor of Mori Tower, the Mori Art Museum is a contemporary art museum founded by property tycoon Minoru Mori, featuring high-calibre multi-media installations.

The best way to describe the pieces on display in Mori Art Museum is large-scale, mind-boggling pieces. Everything about MAM feels dystopian and futuristic; from the minute you walk through the door and are guided into a high-speed elevator to the elliptical-shaped exhibition space.

Its private collection is only around 460 pieces, with a particular focus on avant-garde pieces from East Asia, but it’s well known for showcasing temporary exhibitions from internationally acclaimed artists such as Anish Kapoor, Yayoi Kusama, and Yoko Ono.

6. Ghibli Museum

Paying homage to the beloved animation studio, Studio Ghibli, the Ghibli Museum is part museum, part playground, and all lovingly inspired by the studio’s greatest characters and stories.

A large creature smiling from studio Ghibli

Located in Mitaka’s Inokashira Park, the Ghibli Museum is hard to miss — just look for the life-size Totoro statue peeking through the entrance window.

As you walk through whimsical room after room, climbing spiral staircases and peeping through portholes, you’ll learn about the life and legacy of Studio Ghibli and its founder, Hayao Miyazaki. A highlight of the museum is the Cat Bus, which you can climb aboard and sit inside.

While some exhibits are interactive, they’re mostly designed for children. Naturally, even adults can get in on the fun and watch short animations in the Saturn Theater. The impressive ‘Where a Film is Born’ exhibit shows the storyboarding process and how ideas turn from thought to paper to reality.

The Ghibli movies are a quintessential part of Japanese culture and introduced anime culture to the wider world. In fact, The Boy and the Heron, released by Studio Ghibli in 2023, is the only Japanese animation to win an Oscar to date.

Immerse yourself in Japanese culture on: Discover Japan

7. National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation

It’s no secret that Japan’s technology industry is a far cry ahead of anywhere else in the world, it’s what makes Japan… Japan.

One of the best places to learn about Japan’s technological advancements is at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, also known as Miraikan, which means ‘Future Museum’ in English.

A notable exhibit is the ‘Hello! Robots’ exhibit where you can see Asimo, a humanoid robot created by Honda in 2000. Asimo was the first of its kind and created to help humans. It can dance, run, hop, climb stairs, and even play soccer!

Another cool exhibit, featured in the ‘Create Your Future’ section, is called ‘Park of Aging’, where you learn about the ways technology will support, or even replace, the human aging process.

Learn more about Japanese history on: Japan Family Journey: From Ancient to Modern Times

8. 21_21 Design Sight

21_21 Design Sight features all things design. It was created by architect Tadao Ando and fashion designer Issey Miyake. The building itself is one of Ando’s greatest works and made up of two large galleries, aptly named Gallery 1 and 2, featuring temporary exhibits dedicated to all things design.

A very short but very long building surrounded by grass and trees

From experimental to innovative, from practical products to elaborate 3D printed spectacles, this museum proves there are no limits to what can be achieved with a bit of imagination and engineering.

9. The Sumida Hokusai Museum

No doubt you’ve seen Katsushika Hokusai’s works before without even realising it. His most famous piece, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, is one of the most reproduced images in the history of art.

Finished in 1831, it was created using a woodblock printing style called Ukiyo-e, which Hokusai is considered to have invented. His work has been influential to many great Western artists such as Claude Debussy, Vincent van Gogh, and Claude Monet.

A very big building in the shape of a cube appearing to be made of metal

The Sumida Hokusai Museum is the only museum dedicated to Hokusai. It’s small with only one room, but it has been well curated with bilingual information.

The exhibit tells the story of Hokusai’s life, legacy, and what makes him the most celebrated artist from the Edo period.

10. Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum

Although the Metropolitan Teien Art Tokyo is an art museum, most people come to admire the building itself rather than the pieces it contains. It was once home to Prince Asaka Yasuhiko and his family, and constructed in 1933 in an Art Deco style. The items on display are mostly artwork, furnishings, and antiques owned by the prince and his family.

A highlight of the museum is the garden surrounding the entire building. The word Teien translates to ‘Japanese garden’ in English, and arguably TMTAM’s garden is one of the finest examples. This green oasis is split into three sections, featuring carefully manicured lawns, bonsais, and koi fish ponds, and changes with the seasons.

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Bijou Karman – BOOOOOOOM! – CREATE * INSPIRE * COMMUNITY * A…

Arts

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September 23, 2024

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Bijou Karman – BOOOOOOOM! – CREATE * INSPIRE * COMMUNITY * A…

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A selection of work by Los Angeles-based artist and illustrator Bijou Karman. Her work has been exhibited around the world, glamorizing vintage style while working to create an equal future for everyone. Through painting, illustration, books, and more, she fashions a chic universe filled with inspiring women, tropical plants, psychedelia, and flowers. Check out more from Bijou Karman below!

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NBA Star Shaquille O’Neal Threw Tim Walz Out From His Big Ch…

Business

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September 23, 2024

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NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has been falsely accused of ejecting Governor Tim Walz (D-Minn), the running mate of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, from his restaurant.

What Happened: Earlier this month, a Facebook post from an account named “WNBA News Daily,” falsely shared a post stating that Shaq, had thrown out Walz from his restaurant in Georgia.

This false story was shared by many other people on social media platforms too including one by Vernon Jones, a former state representative from Georgia.

However, lo and behold, this entire incident was written by a satirical website.

See Also: Elon Musk Reacts After Cathie Wood Labels Gavin Newsom’s Threat To Sue Tesla CEO Over Memes ‘Unconstitutional’: ‘…But That Didn’t Stop Them’

The original article was published on “Esspots,” a self-proclaimed “one-stop destination for satirical news and commentary about the United States of America.”

“Our team of writers and editors is dedicated to bringing you the latest and greatest in fake news and absurdity, all with a healthy dose of humor and satire,” the website states in the “About Us” section.

Shaq’s restaurant chain, Big Chicken, does not have a location in Georgia, according to Big Chicken’s official website.

This fact check was first done by AFP Fact Check, a department within Agence France-Presse, which also noted that campaign schedules for the candidates did not mention any planned visit by Walz to a Big Chicken outlet.

Why It Matters: Walz has been a target of misinformation since joining the Democratic ticket. This incident serves as another example of misleading claims circulating on social media.

Earlier, a false claim that Harris was involved in a 2011 hit-and-run accident in San Francisco, which allegedly paralyzed a 13-year-old girl, circulated widely on social media platforms.

This incident also comes amid a politically charged climate, with celebrities like Taylor Swift publicly endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris and Walz for the 2024 presidential race.

Meanwhile, Shaq has previously revealed that he voted for the first time at the age of 48 in 2020. The retired NBA star supported President Joe Biden in the presidential election that year, according to The Hill.

Image via Flickr/ Cubahora

Read Next:

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

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Upstate NY Democrat goes rogue and launches write-in campaig…

Crime & Punishment

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September 23, 2024

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An upstate Democrat is launching a longshot write-in campaign to keep his job as prosecutor – bashing bail reform and other criminal justice reforms leaders of his own party pushed through in New York.

Albany County District Attorney David Soares, who has been in office since 2005, is campaigning again after losing a June party primary to rival Lee Kindlon by 10 percentage points.

“The issues that I’m running on are statewide issues. I’ve been the sole voice of the criticisms here on bail reform. These reforms are harming our communities,” Soares said on 770 WABC’s the Cats Roundtable.

Criminal justice reforms enacted in 2019 under then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Democratic-led legislature eliminated cash bail for mostly non-violent felony crimes — a move activists said set up a system where people who couldn’t afford bail sat in jail awaiting court dates on low-level accusations.

But critics have called the policies soft-on-crime, with backlash growing after several high-profile cases of accused criminals who committed violent crimes days after being cut loose on other charges.

“We see more young men of color murdered on the streets by other young men of color, who are allowed to access the revolving door to the criminal justice system,” said Soares, who is black.

“I’ve been here for 20 years,” he went on. “I’ve seen the highs. I’ve seen the highs. I can tell you, it’s never been worse … The root cause here is this irresponsible path that we’ve been put on by our leaders here in the state government.”

Soares blamed his primary loss on his own public criticism of the cashless bail law and other reforms — including changing the age for defendants to be tried as an adult for crimes from 16 to 18.

“I think that public safety has been so politicized in our community [that] if you say the wrong thing, if you call out the terrible policies that have been passed in the state capital, things are going to happen to you politically,” he said. “In my case, there was a primary run against me because of my criticisms over bail reform, raise the age … Therefore, now I am a write-in for district attorney here on Nov. 5.”

He blamed “the irresponsible bail laws that basically deprived judges of the discretion [and] deprived police officers in many instances from being able to make arrests,” thus emboldening criminals.

“We are living in one of the most important states in the country, and we cannot put handcuffs on people who are committing crimes … We allow for criminals to just continuously steal,” Soares said, referring to serial shoplifting.

“This is happening in every city in this state,” Soares added. “The idea that my party is the party that set us down this course is troubling … Things have to change. And by things I mean these laws that have been passed that are hurting our communities all throughout New York State.”

But primary winner Kindlon dismissed Soares as a write-in candidate.

Kindlon said the public backlash over Soares using part of a state grant to provide himself a $23,000 bonus as well as his lackluster record as DA cooked his goose.

“Soares was bad at his job and he stole taxpayer money,” Kindlon said Sunday after hearing Soares’ claims. “I didn’t win because I was a bail reform defender.

“I worry about David as much as I worry about a bug,” he added.

Ralph Ambrosio is the Republican candidate in the race and the two will face off on Tuesday.

Write-in campaigns are rarely successful.

But in 2021, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown easily won a fifth term as a write-in candidate in the general election after a stunning loss to democratic socialist India Walton in the Democratic primary.

Ambrosio, the Republican, a former state trooper and assistant prosecutor, is hoping he can win with Soares and Kindlon splitting the Democratic vote.

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16 Ways To Get Paid To Give Advice

Finance

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September 23, 2024

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Do you want to get paid to give advice? A few years ago, I never would have thought that giving advice could turn into a way to make extra money. But after starting my website and sharing what I knew about personal finance, I quickly realized that I could make extra income. It’s amazing how…

Do you want to get paid to give advice?

A few years ago, I never would have thought that giving advice could turn into a way to make extra money. But after starting my website and sharing what I knew about personal finance, I quickly realized that I could make extra income.

It’s amazing how your skills, whether they’re in medicine, cars, law, tech, relationships, or anything else, can become a profitable business. I love helping others and, at the same time, earning money from what I enjoy!

In this article, I’ll go over:

Ways to get paid to give advice
Type of professionals that get paid to give advice
How to get paid giving advice online

How To Get Paid To Give Advice

Here’s a list of 16 ways to get paid to give advice.

1. JustAnswer

JustAnswer is a site that pays people to give advice and answer questions in different fields such as legal, tech, medical, veterinary, antique appraisers, and more.

If you’re an expert in a field that people usually have questions in, you can monetize your expertise on JustAnswer by sharing your expert opinion.

You may be wondering what kind of questions are asked on JustAnswer. Here are a few examples:

How much is my antique worth?
How can I lower my business taxes this year?
What can I do if a sinus infection won’t go away?
How do I fix my car’s alternator?

To get started on JustAnswer, you need to go through an application process (with a background check) and get verified that you’re an expert by providing proof of qualifications like degrees, certifications, or other relevant experience.

Recommended reading: 21 Ways To Get Paid To Answer Questions

2. Start a blog

I run a personal finance blog and share advice all the time (and I get paid for it!). Starting a blog is one of the best ways to share your expertise while creating a reliable source of income.

Sharing your expertise and knowledge with a blog is a great way to diversify your income. You can make money blogging by:

Affiliate marketing (where you get a commission when people make purchases through your links)
Advertising revenue
Sponsored content
Selling services like coaching
Selling products like books or courses

One of the keys to successful blogging is choosing a niche or topic that you’re both passionate about and that has an audience who wants to learn more.

Here are some popular blog niches you can try, depending on your expertise:

Education and career – If you have experience in teaching or career coaching, this niche can focus on helping others with their career goals, job interviews, or study techniques.
Personal finance – Share tips on budgeting, saving, investing, and side hustles. Many people are looking for ways to improve their finances.
Health – Topics like fitness, nutrition, mental health, and self-care are helpful.
Travel – If you love traveling, you can start a travel blog, sharing tips on budget travel, destination guides, family travel, or even remote work opportunities.
Parenting – This niche covers a wide range of topics, from newborn care and toddler tips to advice for teenagers. You can also write about balancing parenting and work or homeschooling.
Food – Share recipes, meal planning tips, or diet-specific content (e.g., vegan, keto, gluten-free).
DIY and crafts – Whether it’s home improvement, crafting, or upcycling projects, this niche is popular among creative individuals looking for inspiration and guidance.
Lifestyle – A lifestyle blog covers several areas like home decor, fashion, personal growth, and productivity.
Tech – If you’re knowledgeable about tech, you can give advice on the latest gadgets, software, app reviews, and even tutorials for beginners.
Beauty – This is a highly popular niche where you can share makeup tips, skincare routines, and product reviews.
Relationships – Help readers improve their relationships or personal growth by sharing advice on communication, self-improvement, or career development.

You can learn how to start a blog in the free How To Start a Blog Course.

3. Create an online course

If you’re looking for a passive way to make money by giving advice, creating an online course is a great way to do so.

My sister runs a popular online course and has done very well with it. Over the years, she has helped thousands of people with her business advice for website owners.

You can create a course on topics such as:

Meal planning and prep – Teach people how to plan meals, prep ingredients, and create healthy, budget-friendly meals.
Parenting tips – Help with topics like raising toddlers, managing screen time, or improving sleep.
Home organization – Help people declutter, organize their homes, and create better living spaces.
Fitness and wellness – Share workouts, stretching routines, or mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga.
Photography basics – Teach people how to use their camera or phone to take better photos. I recently saw a course teaching parents how to take better family photos with their phone, and it looked so helpful!
Gardening for beginners – Guide people through starting a garden, caring for plants, and growing their own fruits and veggies.
DIY home projects – Sell lessons on simple home improvement or crafting projects, like building furniture or making home decor.
Travel planning – Share tips on planning budget-friendly vacations, packing efficiently, and finding fun destinations.
Pet care – Teach new pet owners how to care for their animals, including training, nutrition, and grooming tips.

You can sell your online course on your website or course websites like Udemy, Skillshare, or Teachable (Teachable is my favorite course platform).

4. Answer surveys

You won’t get rich by answering surveys, but it’s an easy way to make money by giving your opinion.

Market research companies pay survey sites to find users to complete surveys for them. These paid online surveys help companies make better products and services.

Here are some of the recommended survey companies to sign up for:

American Consumer Opinion
Swagbucks
Survey Junkie
InboxDollars
Branded Surveys

Recommended reading: 12 Best Online Surveys For Gift Cards

5. User Interviews

User Interviews stands out from most market research companies because, rather than paying for typical online surveys, it specializes in focus groups.

This means they seek more detailed feedback from participants on different products and companies. Their studies are usually conducted via phone or video interviews, with the average study paying over $65.

Large companies like Spotify, Pinterest, GoPro, and Amazon use User Interviews to collect market insights. The platform runs over 2,000 studies each month, and last year alone, more than 77,000 participants were paid.

Michelle (my sister as well as the owner of this blog) participated in a focus group through User Interviews and earned $400 for just one hour of work. She said it was simple, and the entire process was completed online through a video call.

You can click here to sign up for free with User Interviews.

6. Financial advisor

Financial advisors are trained professionals who give financial advice to clients. You can make money as a financial advisor by charging fees for your services, receiving commissions on financial products, or both.

A financial advisor may help with financial planning, retirement, wealth management, insurance, investments, savings, and more.

To become a financial advisor, you need a combination of education and certifications. To get started, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, or related field. You’ll also need an internship or entry-level job in finance, banking, or financial planning to get hands-on experience. Most importantly, you’ll need to get certified as a Certified Financial Planner and pass the licensing exams.

As of this writing, the average Certified Financial Planner’s salary is between $66,000-$122,000 a year.

7. Business consultant

One way to make money by giving advice is to start a consulting business and become a freelance consultant.

A business consultant is someone who uses their expertise to help companies improve their business, income strategy, and profitability.

Consultants get paid either by hourly rate, project-based fees, or retainer agreements. Business consultants can also make money by conducting training sessions and workshops for more money.

Business consultants are in high demand as businesses are always looking for ways to improve and make more money.

8. Personal trainer

If you love fitness and working with people, you can try making money as a personal trainer.

Getting a NASM personal trainer certification, which is one of the top certifications in the field is helpful. This is where you’ll dial in form, workout routines, and many other important fitness-related skills.

As a personal trainer, you can make money with one-on-one sessions, group classes, and even online training programs. Trainers typically charge per session or have package deals for multiple sessions. You can also make money by creating workout programs that people can purchase online.

9. Online coach

You can make money working as an online coach through digital platforms.

Some areas that you could coach on include:

Life coaching
Relationship coaching
Business coaching
Fitness coaching
Career coaching

As an online coach, you can make money with one-on-one coaching sessions, group coaching, or self-paced courses that people can buy directly from you. You can charge people one-time fees, package deals, or ongoing membership subscriptions for continued access to your guidance.

To grow your income, you can use social media platforms to build your brand and get people to trust you, such as by sharing helpful free tips in graphics or captions.

10. HelpOwl

HelpOwl is a platform where you can get paid to give advice online to individuals seeking help with different topics.

To get started with HelpOwl, register on the website and set up your profile. Your profile should showcase your expertise, skills, qualifications, and areas of advice.

You can also determine your fee structure for providing advice whether it’s per session or question.

11. Quora

You’ve likely heard of Quora since it’s a goldmine for getting any kind of question answered, but did you know you can make money with Quora?

Yes, it is possible to make money on Quora through a few different strategies.

Quora has a partner program that lets you make money by asking questions that generate high traffic and engagement to their website. You can get paid based on the ad revenue generated from the questions you ask.

Quora’s partner program is great for anyone who wants to become an online advice giver as you can share your honest opinion or answer a question in a simple comment.

12. Start a podcast

You can make money selling advice through a podcast.

This method of selling advice takes a lot of work but can be worthwhile if successful.

If you want to start a podcast to give advice, there are many great topics to choose from. You could talk about personal finance, relationship advice, or career coaching. Health and wellness podcasts are popular too, where you can cover fitness, mental health, and self-care. Parenting tips for new parents, small business advice, or life coaching are also good ideas. You could even share tech help, home improvement tips, or legal advice.

Whatever you pick, your podcast can help people improve their lives.

Once you build up your following, you can make money with ads and different sponsorships on your podcast episodes, along with affiliate links.

13. Start a YouTube channel

Starting a YouTube channel is another great way to get paid for giving advice, especially if you enjoy talking on camera.

I turn to YouTube all the time when I’m looking for answers and advice. It’s a helpful resource where I can find detailed explanations on just about any topic. Whether I need tips on personal finance, blogging, or even tech solutions, there’s usually a video that walks me through the steps. I love how I can watch experts in action, and it’s a great way to learn something new quickly and visually.

With YouTube, you can create videos in your area of expertise and build an audience of subscribers who value your knowledge. Whether you’re skilled in personal finance, cooking, fitness, or any other niche, there’s probably an audience looking for advice in a YouTube video.

To make money on YouTube, you can monetize your channel through:

Ads: Once you reach YouTube’s eligibility requirements, you can earn money from ads that play during your videos.
Sponsorships: Brands may pay you to promote their products or services in your videos.
Affiliate marketing: Include affiliate links in your video descriptions, earning a commission when viewers make purchases through your links.
Selling products or services: You can also use YouTube to promote your own products, courses, or consulting services.

Consistency is key on YouTube, so creating valuable, engaging content that resonates with your audience will help grow your channel and income over time.

Get paid to give relationship advice online

14. Share advice on Fiverr

Fiverr is a great spot to sell your advice if you’re looking for an online job.

I searched on Fiverr and found 2,200 listings where people were offering to give advice. The topics included things like relationship advice, tax advice, fantasy football advice, blog advice, business advice, and more.

You simply create a profile and a listing where you share the type of advice you specialize in.

15. Website testing (such as with UserTesting)

Website testing is a simple way to make money by sharing your advice and providing feedback on the website user experience.

There are several well-known website testing sites including UserTesting, TryMyUI, and Userlytics. These sites connect you with people looking for user feedback on their websites and apps.

By using website testing platforms, selling expert advice, and building a strong reputation, you can successfully make money through website testing and sharing your insights.

16. Mystery shopping

Mystery shopping is a fun way to give your advice and feedback on a customer service experience, product, or store operations.

As a mystery shopper, your feedback tells companies how well their employees are treating customers, if customers are happy, and if any operational problems need fixing.

There are three different ways to make money mystery shopping including:

Cash and reimbursement (you’ll get paid to do the mystery shop, plus get the service/product for free).
Cash payment (an example would be a phone call mystery shop when you don’t buy anything).
Reimbursement (an example would be a restaurant secret shop – these typically don’t pay any money except for receiving free food).

BestMark is one of the biggest mystery shopping companies with a great reputation, and they have many different kinds of mystery shopping jobs available. Ath Power Consulting is another well-known mystery shopping company that has over 500,000 secret shoppers. They complete over 10,000 mystery shops each month, and they work with many popular companies.

Recommended reading: Want To Make An Extra $100 A Month? Learn How To Become A Mystery Shopper

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions about how to get paid to give advice.

Can you get paid for giving advice?

Yes, you can get paid for advising in many ways such as consulting (people pay for advice on specific topics), coaching (people paying for expertise in a certain area, like business, relationships, career, and life), and content creation (monetize your advice through blogs, podcasts, social media).

What type of professionals make money by giving advice?

The kinds of professionals getting paid to give advice include:

Consultants
Coaches
Financial advisors
Legal advisors
Counselors
Health experts
Tutors
Real estate agents
Educators
Creative professionals
Entrepreneurs
Public speakers

As you can see, the list is endless. By using the skills and knowledge you have, you can likely get paid to provide practical and personalized advice to people.

Can I sell life advice?

You can sell life advice if you have valuable life experiences that other people find helpful to learn from. People tend to hire life coaches, mentors, and advisors to help them with life challenges, achieve goals, and find purpose in their lives.

You can make money selling life advice in several ways including:

One-on-one coaching sessions
Online courses
Books
Blogs
Podcasts
Social media accounts

It’s important to identify your niche and who you want to help. For example, your target audience may be women looking for a career change or people who need help with relationship advice. Focusing on a specific niche will help you stand out from others and market your services more efficiently.

How can you get paid to give advice online?

There are many ways to get paid to give advice from your laptop. JustAnswer is a great way to get started getting paid to give advice and connect you to people seeking help in your field.

If you’re looking for a passive way to make money giving advice, create an eBook, course, blog, or podcast. You can make money by selling your products, advertising, using affiliate links, or creating sponsored content.

Can you get paid to give relationship advice online?

You can get paid to give relationship advice and dating advice by working as a relationship coach through platforms like BetterHelp (as a therapist) or via your own website. You’ll need specific credentials to work on sites like BetterHelp and Talkspace, whereas having a relationship blog doesn’t require certifications, but may be harder to make money at the beginning of starting your business.

How To Get To Give Advice – Summary

I hope you enjoyed this article on how to get paid to give advice.

If you have knowledge in a specific area, you can turn that into a business by giving advice. Whether it’s in fields like medical, legal, tech, personal finance, or relationships, there are many ways to get paid for your skills.

Plus, you can do this either part-time or full-time, so you can choose what kind of hours you want to work.

Do you want to get paid to give advice?

Recommended reading:

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Homemade Pumpkin Coffee Creamer – Sally’s Baking Addiction

Foodies

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September 23, 2024

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You can make flavorful homemade pumpkin coffee creamer in less than 15 minutes and enjoy it all week long. Made with real pumpkin puree and no artificial flavorings or preservatives, you can feel good about adding a splash to your coffee!

I originally published this recipe in 2015 and have since added new photos and a few more success tips.

glass mug of pumpkin coffee creamer in coffee with whipped cream.

Nothing compares to a steaming-hot cup of coffee on cool mornings. Add some pumpkin coffee creamer and maybe some apple cider donuts, and you have a sweater-weather dream come true.

While there are plenty of pumpkin spice coffee creamers at the grocery store these days, and the pre-made packaged stuff is certainly convenient, homemade pumpkin coffee creamer is surprisingly quick and easy to make. Plus, it keeps for a week in the refrigerator, so one batch will last for multiple mornings of that mmm-moment worth getting out of bed for!

Readers are raving about this homemade coffee creamer:

One reader, Grace, commented: “So easy! And sooo good!! I love how the amounts of maple syrup in this recipe is not too sweet at all! And more importantly I love that we control the wholesome ingredients. Perfect flavor and wonderful smell!! ★★★★★”

One reader, Argie, commented: “Well I just made this and it’s delicious! Goals, avoid paying $6 for a pumpkin spice latte when I can make one at home that’s richer, cheaper and easier. Sweetness is great, not nearly as sweet as those commercial PSLs… ★★★★★”

homemade pumpkin spice coffee creamer in glass jar.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Pumpkin Coffee Creamer

Outstanding pumpkin flavor from pure pumpkin puree
Cozy, warming spices
Real, natural, recognizable ingredients—no preservatives or mystery ingredients
Takes only 15 minutes to make
Feel free to freeze in an ice cube tray to add to hot coffee
Keeps in the refrigerator for up to a week
Can be made dairy free

You Need Just 5 Ingredients

Half-and-half, Whole Milk, or Heavy Cream: For extra rich flavor and the creamiest texture, use heavy cream. It’s delicious that way! But I usually use half-and-half for something a little lighter. You can also use whole milk. See below for best nondairy alternatives.
Pumpkin Puree: You don’t need a whole can, so you’ll have some left over. Here are recipes to make with leftover pumpkin puree.
Pure Maple Syrup: You’ll appreciate that we’re using a natural sweetener in this creamer. Make sure it’s the real deal, not the bottle labeled “pancake syrup.”
Pumpkin Pie Spice: You can use either store-bought or homemade pumpkin pie spice blend.
Cinnamon Sticks: Two cinnamon sticks infuse this creamer with so much warming flavor. I always keep some on hand in the fall, for making homemade apple cider and honeycrisp apple sangria, too!

cinnamon sticks, maple syrup, spices, and cream on peach surface.

How to Make It

You just need a saucepan and a whisk, and in less than 15 minutes of cooking, you have the perfect blend of fall flavors for your morning coffee.

That’s all you do!

cream mixture in pot with cinnamon sticks on beige-patterned linen.

pouring pumpkin spice creamer into coffee.

Dairy-Free Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer

The base of coffee creamer is, obviously, dairy cream or half-and-half. For a dairy-free alternative, try using coconut milk, cashew milk, oat milk, or almond milk. Full-fat coconut milk will give you the thickest, creamiest result; other nondairy milks may be on the thinner side.

One favorite way to enjoy coffee in the fall? Add a splash of homemade pumpkin creamer, then top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. Talk about dreamy.

Print

Homemade Pumpkin Coffee Creamer

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
4.7 from 18 reviews

Author: Sally
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 1 and 3/4 cups
Category: Beverages
Method: Cooking
Cuisine: American

Description

Make homemade pumpkin spice coffee creamer in less than 15 minutes! It has incredible flavor thanks to real pumpkin puree.

Instructions

In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together heavy cream, pumpkin, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice. Add cinnamon sticks and increase heat to medium-high. Bring to boil, whisking occasionally, for 1 minute, then remove from heat and let creamer cool in pan 5 minutes before using in your coffee. Add sugar to your coffee if you take it that way. You can also add whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, too.
Store leftover creamer, without cinnamon sticks, in a tightly sealing jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Shake well before using.

Notes

Special Tools (affiliate links): Saucepan | Whisk
Dairy-Free Creamer: Try using coconut, cashew, oat, or almond milk. The creamer won’t be as thick.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: I add 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of spice, so you can really taste it. Feel free to start with less, and then add more to taste. You can buy pumpkin pie spice from the store or use homemade pumpkin pie spice. If you don’t have either and wish to use the individual spices in this recipe, use 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/8 ground nutmeg, and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves.

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The Southern California Wildfire Paradox

Health & Wellness

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September 23, 2024

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A heat wave struck Southern California earlier this month. Soon after, large swaths of the region began to burn. All three fires, the Line Fire, the Bridge Fire, and the Airport Fire, are still going.

So far, they’ve engulfed almost 200 square miles, forcing evacuations in four counties and destroying dozens of homes. Southern Californians should know by now that natural disasters threaten our region more than most places in the United States. But time and again, we seem to forget fire season as soon as it ends, and we’re unready for nature’s fury when it inevitably returns.

In June, Claim Guard, an organization that educates consumers about insurance, published a report on natural-disaster preparedness that analyzed data from all counties in the United States. It sought to measure “community resilience,” which it defined as “the ability of a community to anticipate hazards, adapt to changing conditions, and recover rapidly.” It gave Los Angeles County “an exceedingly low score,” among the worst of all large counties. In terms of overall risk of economic loss due to natural disasters, “Los Angeles County scores 100 out of 100, making it the riskiest locale in the nation,” the report noted. Four of its five most at-risk counties in America are in California. Three are in Southern California.

The Public Policy Institute of California surveyed Golden State residents in July about disaster preparedness. Only 35 percent said that they were prepared for a natural disaster. Some aspired to do better: “23% intend to prepare in the next six months and 22% plan to do so in the next year,” the survey found. “The rest—20%—have no plans to prepare in the next year.” What’s more, “worries about wildfires do not appear to spur disaster preparedness,” the report continued, with “minimal differences in preparation” among Californians who view the threat of wildfires as “a big problem” or “not a problem” in their part of the state. Preparation levels were also similar “no matter how serious a personal or economic threat Californians rate wildfires.”

This is a confounding portrait of a region that is unusually vulnerable to natural disasters and unusually unprepared for them, despite being aware of that lack when reminded of it. I’ve tried to make sense of this since my earliest days as a reporter, when I saw the terrifying power of wildfires, floods, and mudslides up close; spent time in communities that they devastated; and saw how neighboring communities did not seem alarmed or altered even when luck alone kept them safe. I’ve come to understand that life is typically so good in Southern California, a place spared seasonal challenges frequent in other regions, that simply ignoring nature is possible for long stretches, with inattentiveness often going unpunished.

Read: The line to fire is too close to L.A. for comfort

Two decades ago, during the 2003 Grand Prix and Old Fires, I was driving around Claremont, Rancho Cucamonga, and Fontanna, watching the San Gabriel Mountains as Santa Ana winds began to blow, stoking an ominous orange glow that appeared to pulse on the far side of the range. What I saw next, while reporting for the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, will always shape my attitude. Gusts pushed flames up onto ridges and scattered embers down into foothill housing tracts. Soon the whole mountain was on fire. I watched people flee in pickup trucks towing horse trailers, kids packed into cabs, loose picture frames tossed onto dashboards. I watched as a windrow of eucalyptus trees caught fire, the oil-rich leaves fueling the flames.

That night, I went to bed covered in soot, woke up with burning lungs, and stepped outside to a car covered in ash. Days later, I stood with devastated homeowners on lots reduced to smoldering ruins. I also remember driving a few miles away for lunch and recognizing that, just a bit farther from the mountain, most people were unaffected by the biggest fire in a generation. While the air was thick with smoke, they noticed, but soon the smoke just drifted away. Seeing what I had seen, I was jarred by the speed with which they felt incuriosity and indifference toward the fire. But they hadn’t seen what I had seen, so what had been wrought on their neighbors didn’t penetrate their experience, as if the nice, sunny days that followed rendered it unimaginable. I didn’t need to imagine. And I’ve never again gone to sleep in a house or hotel in a wildfire zone without thinking about how I’d get out if awoken by a surprise blaze.

At the same time, born and raised in Southern California, I can understand the out-of-sight, out-of-mind reaction to the region’s many natural threats. In lots of ways, they are rooted in the experience of life here. On the Pacific Coast, the climate is so temperate and stable for so much of the year, it is easy to go months without checking a forecast, let alone worrying about the weather doing you harm. Friends going skiing would say, “We’re driving to the snow this weekend,” because snow wasn’t something that fell here; it was something you drove to over there in the mountains. Here, April days were T-shirt weather. In drought years, rain was scarce, yet the tap never ran dry. And near the beach, onshore breezes kept us cool all summer.

There were occasional heat waves back then. They tended to arrive in early autumn, when we kids were newly stuck in stifling classrooms, and last a week or so. Teachers would curse the heat, and parents who lived happily all year without air-conditioning would open windows and lie in bed, slick with sweat, promising spouses, “Before next year, we’ll get AC.” Each year, some acted, but many others put it off, as one does when the problem you’re solving is months away, and soon enough forgot, as one does when bad consequences are so infrequent.

Today, Southern California weather, like weather worldwide, is a bit hotter than it once was. Yet heat waves here are easier to bear. More houses, businesses, and classrooms got air-conditioning as the actors accumulated over time, and new construction came with more amenities. Cars have improved too. Gone are the days when many of us drove 1980s sedans that overheated going up hills unless you blasted the heat to move hot air away from the engine. And like everywhere else––perhaps even more so––Californians have adopted the digital technologies that mediate more of life through screens.

When this autumn’s heat wave began, lots of Californians simply spent more time in climate-controlled spaces. Amid sprawl, where cities merge in uninterrupted stretches of pavement, dry riverbeds are hidden away in concrete channels, and one struggles to remember the last rainy day, it is easy to set the thermostat to 70, order UberEats, log on to Netflix, and forget about nature, even during a heat wave … unless your own community catches fire.

That tends to get even our attention.

The Airport Fire came to my attention late one night as I put on headphones, cued up a podcast, and stepped outside for a walk. I couldn’t see much in the dark or hear anything of the outside world, but I hadn’t walked far when a slight breeze brought a hint of smoke to my nose. I thought, Where is the wildfire?––I’ve lived in California long enough to get reasonably skilled at distinguishing smoke from a joint versus a chimney versus a beach bonfire versus a wildfire. I rerouted my walk to the top of a nearby hill to see whether I was in sight of any flames.

Annie Lowrey: What the camp fired reveal

I saw only darkness. But online, I determined that I was smelling the Airport Fire, 25 miles away. It had started just east of Rancho Santa Margarita, where I’d attended high school. The next day, as the Airport Fire spread, I watched on TV as it consumed a house near Lake Elsinore. I’d always thought of my high school as far away from Lake Elsinore—to get from one to the other, you take the 241 toll road to the 91 freeway to the 15 freeway, which takes about an hour if you avoid rush hour.

But large as they loom in day-to-day life here, wildfires don’t travel by freeway routes. An eagle in Rancho Santa Margarita would reach Lake Elsinore by flying over the Santa Ana Mountains. Upon hearing about a fire in Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Elsinore residents must start worrying immediately, because flames can climb rugged ridges, summit peaks, and drop into valleys at astonishing speeds, depending on the wind. Tracking the wildfire reminded me to stop mistaking the MapQuest route for the territory. It was reorienting me to reality.

Days later, I was back in Claremont, wondering whether the smoke I saw rising ominously above Mount Baldy portended a dramatic night for the Inland Empire. But many of the communities that were hit hardest during the wildfires of 2003 were spared any damage at all this year. This month’s wildfires have destroyed a small number of houses and forced many thousands of residents to temporarily evacuate. Yet on the whole, locals feel lucky, knowing that the wind has been mild and that, given different weather, such as the gusty Santa Anas that occasionally sweep across the L.A. basin, fires that caused local tragedies could have been regionally catastrophic.

If the weather holds until this year’s fires are fully contained, fewer evacuees will confront the nightmare of returning home to a void. But even fleeing and returning to an intact house renews a person’s understanding of the scale of wildfires and the limits of the tools we use to fight them. Certain communities accustomed to the comforts of modernity now realize that their fate, or at least the fate of their homes, turn on the interplay of fire, air, water, and earth, elements so basic that the ancients thought they composed the whole universe.

The terrible coda of Southern California wildfires is that the worst may be yet to come, because mountains and hillsides denuded of brush are less able than they were to hold rocks and soil in place. Fall wildfires often portend winter or spring mudslides and debris flows––think boulders the size of cars dislodging from the mountains and ending up in the foothills, perhaps in a living room. Now, while hillsides still smolder, is the time to clear brush, trim trees, replace old shingled roofs, retrofit attic vents, fill sandbags, order supplies, plan for how you’d evacuate your family and pets if forced to flee home, and learn about your local government’s disaster plans. But it is hard to think of errant boulders as autumn fires are extinguished, smoke fades from the air, and deadlines to find a Halloween costume assert themselves. Amid Thanksgiving obligations, few people find time to prepare for tons of mud that won’t arrive for weeks or months or years––and that won’t ever threaten most streets. Soon, all but those hardest hit by these fires will cease to think about them. The region’s pleasantness will lull most of us who haven’t yet been burned into forgetting the several imminent perils that confront our region. I nearly forgot to note that among them are earthquakes.

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The Age of Fantasy: Competing Visions, Colliding Worlds

People & culture

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September 23, 2024

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Back in July, noted English literature professor Karen Swallow Prior responded to a Politico article examining V.P. nominee JD Vance’s naming of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) as a leading influence on his political views. She declared the news indicative of “the rise of the Fantasy generation,” thanks to Vance’s status as a millennial—someone who came of age during the rise of Peter Jackson’s blockbuster film trilogy based on Tolkien’s books.

I too have found my personal and political views heavily informed by Fantasy literature via a very different body of work: the comic book.

In her article, Dr. Prior gently called out the way reading Tolkien’s work with a binary good vs. evil framing, and mapping it to the MAGA sloganeering representative of the Trump campaign, is a misappropriation of Tolkien’s work that he himself would have rejected. She asserted that to love a book well, you must interpret its message accurately, and that the interpretive keys to doing so are time and experience. She implied that Vance’s reading of Tolkien’s work could benefit from more of both.

At which point, this GenX reader let out a deep, rueful sigh.

Loving Fantasy literature may be a hallmark of membership in the millennial generation, but a hallmark of membership in GenX is having our experiences overlooked. My own life experiences have an unusual number of similarities to Vance’s—a childhood shaped by abuse, deep familial dysfunction, and a path into a more economically and circumstantially stable life paved by academic scholarships and a Silicon Valley career. And I too have found my personal and political views heavily informed by Fantasy literature via a very different body of work—one with a much longer history, and a multimedia franchise whose pop culture and economic impact exceeds even that of the LOTR film series by an order of magnitude. And yet, in deference to Dr. Prior, the genre on which it’s based is not one with which she’s likely to have spent much time.

It’s the comic book.

Comic books first rose to popularity prior to the Second World War, well before The Lord of the Rings’ publication in 1954. The short, serialized stories centered on “superheroes” from other worlds, told through dynamic artwork, speech bubbles, and action sequences peppered with onomatopoeic commentary. Comic books have long been recognized as a more accessible (and more popular) form of storytelling for younger or struggling readers, and thus a target of skepticism by parents and teachers as to their true literary worth.

My personal introduction to the world of comic book characters came through its oldest and most beloved hero: Superman. Born on the planet Krypton and sent to Earth by his parents to escape his planet’s destruction, Superman grew into a man in possession of superhuman abilities (powered by earth’s yellow sun) like flight, and superhuman levels of virtue, all disguised behind a pair of glasses and a desk job at a local newspaper. I first came to know, then love, Superman through TV reruns of the black and white TV series from the 1950s, and then by comic book anthologies I found at the library. Then came the Super Friends, the Saturday morning cartoon series which introduced me to Superman’s allies in the pursuit of truth, justice, and the American Way—characters like Wonder Woman, the Wonder Twins, and AquaMan.

C.S. Lewis…coined the phrase “true myth” to describe the story of Jesus, because it possesses all of the characteristics that make fantasy fantastical.

Had I been old enough to watch the first iteration of the Superman movies when they came out in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, I wouldn’t have been allowed; theater-going was forbidden in my home. But that prohibition backfired in a big way when I watched them on VHS during a junior high sleepover some years later. My adolescent girl self didn’t so much observe the palpable chemistry between Christopher Reeve’s Superman and Margot Kidder’s Lois Lane as absorb it directly through my teenaged pores.

The degree to which my upbringing in Christian fundamentalism was so interwoven with my experiences of childhood trauma and neglect should have served to spiritually inoculate me against faith of any kind. And yet, thanks to what can only be described as a series of divinely-directed circumstantial disruptions my freshman year of college, I became a Christian a few months before my 19th birthday.

It was Tolkien’s friend and contemporary C.S. Lewis who coined the phrase “true myth” to describe the story of Jesus, because it possesses all of the characteristics that make fantasy fantastical—the existence of a realm beyond what we can we see, power beyond what we inherently possess, a cosmic battle between good and evil, a heroic rescuer who saves us and calls us into victorious battle alongside him. Its one additional and essential characteristic is that, for Lewis as for me, it’s all gloriously true.

As I moved through college and into adulthood, the more my story became interwoven with the true mythic story of the Gospel, the more I learned to appreciate other mythologies that echoed it.

And so it was when I first watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

I was newly 30, married, and the mother of two young daughters, starting the second decade of my spiritual journey as a Christian. I was not unfamiliar with the book on which the films were based—I had picked it up, then laid it down, more than once during my high school and college years. Watching the films stirred all of the inclinations in me to try to read the book again. All of the themes were there: the call to something beyond yourself, the reality of evil and the determination for good to win, the need for a sacrificial savior, etc. Peter Jackson captured Tolkien’s vision and characters to a remarkable degree, and had the box office receipts to prove it. And yet, even my third attempt at reading the book after watching the movies failed. There was something about Tolken’s world that felt too far removed from my own to fully draw me in.

And then came the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Having grown up with Superman and the characters of the DC universe, I was initially unfamiliar with the characters of the competing Marvel Comics world. My enjoyment of the first two films—Iron Man and its first sequel—had as much to do with the redemptive story arc of the actor who played him, as with the story itself. I skipped the subsequent story of Thor. I was skeptical and confused about the connections to a character and plot that seemed like a Norse mythology knockoff.

The fantasy world imagined by Stan Lee offered a more compelling mythological lens through which to interpret my own, than the world imagined by Tolkien did.

But then came Captain America, as platonically perfect a reinterpretation of the true myth of Jesus as I’d ever seen, about a man born in weakness and granted supernatural power to save others, who sacrifices his own life so the world can be saved. And then came the Avengers—the first film in which the stories of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and a host of other characters converged into one, each bringing their backstories and their abilities together into one collective quest to defeat the forces of evil, once and for all (or, until the infamous extra scene after the credits which hinted that another development was around the corner). And I was hooked.

For the next 15 years, the complex timeline of 34 films and 24 streaming series of the MCU threaded themselves through the timeline and milestones of my life. And it’s only now, as I enter my fifties, that I’m able to look back and understand why the fantasy world imagined by Stan Lee offered a more compelling mythological lens through which to interpret my own, than the world imagined by Tolkien did.

While Tolkien’s story plays out in imaginary Middle Earth, the stories of the Marvel Cinematic Universe keep one costumed foot of their characters firmly on the ground, among the real places (New York, Oakland, the New Jersey suburbs) and real events of Earth, with the other in imaginary realms.

In the imaginary world of LOTR, power is a possession, and not all have the same capacity to wield it, let alone contain it. In the MCU, power is inherent to existence, and all living things possess it in some measure. Our capacities for power can change in an instant—not just externally by the procurement of a collection of magic stones, or by the wielding of a magic hammer, but internally as well, thanks to the explosion of a lethal weapon built by your own company, the electronic infusion of a vita ray, or the bite of an experimentally-altered spider. It’s our internal motivations and choices about what we do with the power we hold—individually and collectively—that determines the kind of person we become, and the impact we have on the world, whether we’re human or superhuman, animal or android, male or female.

In the real world, we are all born powerless, and not all of us are helped to navigate the difficult path to adulthood in the ways we need. For those of us born into the dark fellowship of childhood trauma and neglect, like JD Vance and I were, Fantasy literature offers a window into a world that names the darkness of the past and present, but also invites us to believe that a better future is possible, and we can have a role to play in realizing it. That invitation is especially enticing when we can see ourselves in the characters making that future a reality.

As a 30-year-old mother, there were no direct entry points into Tolkien’s story for me, or for my daughters—literally no membership in the Fellowship.

It’s easy to see how a teenaged JD would have seen himself in the main characters of The Fellowship of the Ring—as the young man he was, and the grown man he aspired to be. With the smoldering fires of the toppled Twin Towers of the World Trade Center still days away from being quenched when the first film was released, it’s easy to imagine how the world he was moving into felt terrifying and vast. As the third film was released, months after he enlisted in the Marines, it’s easy to see how the role he envisioned for himself in battling the forces of darkness might have grown.

But my vantage point was different. As a 30-year-old mother, there were no direct entry points into Tolkien’s story for me, or for my daughters—literally no membership in the Fellowship. What few female characters there were, while invariably beautiful and noble, played only a supporting role, never a main one.

Not so with the MCU. From Black Widow and Captain Marvel, to Laura Barton and Peggy Carter, from the Dora Milaje of Wakanda to Wanda Maximova, the numerous heroines of the MCU are both active participants in collective quests and battles, as well as featuring in entire stories of their own. Equally significant, their characters wrestle regularly with the moral calculus associated with the intersection of their power and their responsibilities, in the same way their male superhero peers do. And some of the most compelling and popular storylines have been ones like WandaVision, ones that explore characters’ sorrows and defeats, and not just their victories.

That the democratic vision of the MCU extends to its resistance against archetypes and its intentional incorporation of moral complexity into its stories and its characters is why I believe, as a collection of Fantasy stories, it gets closer to approximating the complexities of real people and real situations playing out in our real, 21st century world, as Dr. Prior calls out.

Nevertheless, the political battle that is the 2024 election season continues to unfold. The greater question than how JD Vance may have seen himself in the story of LOTR as a younger man, is how he might see himself in the story now, newly turned 40, a husband and a father, just 270 electoral college votes from the second highest office in the land. The Politico article portrays him as a very young Gandalf. Perhaps he sees himself as Faramir, with Usha as his Eowyn, given her resignation from her prestigious law firm to join him on the campaign trail.

Meanwhile, Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her Vice Presidential nominee. With several decades of both age and political and military experience over Vance, I couldn’t help thinking of Dr. Prior’s perspective, and wondering what Walz’s take on Tolkien might be. Then again, with his Middle American Dad demeanor dominating the social media vibe-geist, maybe we’ll find out he’s more of a comic book guy.

Time will tell.

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