Good Morning!

It's Wednesday, December 18, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• The Oscars are not going to be on TV anymore.

• These breakup lines are very witty, and innovative.

• Are we eating cheese for a sharper brain?

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

US News

Trump Delivers Prime-Time Address To The Nation On Economy

President Donald Trump delivered a rare televised primetime address Wednesday night from the White House Diplomatic Reception Room, announcing a $1,776 “warrior dividend” for more than 1.45 million US military service members. Major takeaways from the address.

Trump said the payments, funded by tariffs and a recently passed tax and spending bill, were already being mailed. He criticized former President Joe Biden, saying he “inherited a mess,” and highlighted actions on border security, the economy, and foreign policy. But, is everything that Trump claimed the truth? Trump also projected a large tax refund season and said his administration had strengthened the military and reduced drug trafficking by sea. The polls really say a different story.

Related Read: Is the President trying to buy voters’ views on economy?

7 Ways to Take Control of Your Legacy

Planning your estate might not sound like the most exciting thing on your to-do list, but trust us, it’s worth it. And with The Investor’s Guide to Estate Planning, preparing isn’t as daunting as it may seem.

Inside, you’ll find {straightforward advice} on tackling key documents to clearly spell out your wishes.

Plus, there’s help for having those all-important family conversations about your financial legacy to make sure everyone’s on the same page (and avoid negative future surprises).

Why leave things to chance when you can take control? Explore ways to start, review or refine your estate plan today with The Investor’s Guide to Estate Planning.

Download your free guide now!

Television

The Oscars Are Moving On … To YouTube

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday that YouTube will hold the global rights to the Oscars from 2029 through 2033. The deal ends ABC’s more than 50-year run broadcasting the ceremony, though Disney and ABC retain rights through 2028, including the 100th Oscars. 

The Academy said the awards, red carpet, and behind-the-scenes coverage will stream live and free worldwide on YouTube and YouTube TV. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor said the partnership expands global access. YouTube CEO Neal Mohan called the Oscars a key cultural institution.

Work

Is Your Job Wasting Your Potential?

Should people pursue extraordinary careers to prove their worth, or is an ordinary life enough? Many feel pressure to maximize impact, comparing themselves to those shaping policy or saving lives at scale. That pressure often stems from fear of mortality and the desire to leave a lasting legacy. But goodness is not singular or easily measured. 

A meaningful life can balance contributing to others, sustaining personal well-being, and valuing relationships, joy, and presence. Impact can be wide or small, public or private, without making a life wasted.

In the know

DON’T MISS

🤔 Americans are in love with fake Christmas trees, but that definitely isn’t because they’re cheap!

📉 Warner Bros. Discovery just asked shareholders to reject Paramount’s hostile takeover bid.

💔 Mentions of beef industry, scheduled on calendars — NYT just compiled a list of the best breakup lines.

🎥 First Lady Melania Trump’s documentary trailer just dropped and if there’s one take away, it’s that she’s a woman who speaks her mind.

🚫 They don’t just drink less, but Gen Z also hates talking about drinking. 

🤖 Wait, are people really paying to get their chatbots high on drugs?

🏛️ Four House Republicans join Democrats to force vote on Obamacare subsidies.

😤 Hate it when your partner ducks responsibilities? “Weaponised incompetence” is really harming relationships. 

🚺 More and more young and child-free women are seeking sterilization.

🧴 Everyone was scandalized by this skincare ingredient at first — then it became a cultural obsession. Are we on board?

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

🧀 Is cheese the secret to a sharper brain? A new study says yes, linking it to lower dementia risk. But don’t trade a well-balanced diet for a block of cheddar just yet! 

🌍 Heart health, brain development, and a global deficiency — 75% of the world isn’t getting enough of this miracle nutrient. Are you one of them? 

🏃‍♂️ Think physical decline is just a part of “getting old”? Bad news, your strength and speed are a window to your brain health, and losing them could put you at a higher risk of of this syndrome.

🔥 The Los Angeles wildfires left behind an unexpected aftermath. An increase in mysterious ailments amongst the residents has baffled local health officials — are we truly measuring the cost of natural disasters?

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

❄️ Less is more, except when it’s embellishments. Winters are particularly kind on their enchanting energy, making it just the perfect time to sparkle. 

🌹 If your face often gets flushed and red, take note: Rosacea often intensifies as you get older. While we don’t have full answers yet, dermatologists do have some theories. More importantly, effective ways to manage it.

👗 Minis and maxis are out of wardrobe rotation now — knee-length skirts are the cooler and chic-er siblings in trend. Bonus: There are a hundred different ways to style them! 

🛌 Should you use deodorant before bed? If you reach out for an antiperspirant in the morning, here’s a science-backed reason that might help you rethink the routine.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

🎬 Believe it or not, Leonardo DiCaprio hasn’t rewatched this iconic movie of his  — or much of his filmography. 

🚨 Elon Musk is under fire for a creepy comment on Sydney Sweeney. X users are not having it. 

🎶 What was Genius’s most viewed lyric of 2025?Taylor Swift’s scandalous joke made the cut.

Interactive

WEIGH IN

A therapist is urging people to rethink holiday stress with a simple three-word mantra: “connection over perfection”. A Psychotherapist says the pressure to host perfectly, buy everything, and do it all often crowds out what matters most — meaningful connection. She points to research, including the long-running Harvard Study of Adult Development, showing strong relationships are closely linked to long-term physical and mental health. Feliciano suggests slowing down, simplifying plans, and choosing presence over performance this season.

“You are not too much. You were just in the wrong place.”

— Rachael Wolff