Articles for author: Sara Skoda

26 veljače, 2025

Sara Skoda

Wellness Wisdom: Doctor’s Monthly Advice and an Exploration of the Recent NYC ACAP Masterclass Series Event  –  February Edition

This month’s Wellness Wisdom, we dive into a crucial aspect of overall well-being that often gets overlooked in the hustle and bustle of modern life—sleep. This idea comes from the recent NYC Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP) Masterclass Series titled “Rest, Resilience and Results: How Optimizing Sleep, Mental and Physical Health Drive Optimal Performance,” as this very concept was brought to the forefront. The event, held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, featured two distinguished panelists—Dr. Vladimir Ivkovic, a translational neuroscientist, integrative physiologist, and former firefighter/EMT, and Dr. Alen Juginovic, a physician and postdoctoral researcher at Harvard Medical School where

9 veljače, 2025

Sara Skoda

Masa Kolanovic’s Underground Barbie: Croatian Novel Makes Its English-Language Premiere

By Sara Skoda Masa Kolanovic, the Croatian author of Underground Barbie, has garnered international attention with the recent English translation of her compelling novel. Originally written in Croatian, Underground Barbie has resonated deeply with Croatian readers. The novel, now available in the USA, has become a topic of conversation, as the next exciting novel from a Croatian author to hit the global stage. With the English translation now available, Underground Barbie is making its mark in the USA. Kolanovic expressed her excitement about seeing her work reach new audiences and how the themes in her book transcend borders.  In the

10 siječnja, 2025

Sara Skoda

Croatians Online Launches First Book Club

Croatians Online is excited to kick off its first-ever book club with a novel that perfectly embodies the spirit of the Croatian diaspora—The Cheesemaker’s Daughter by Kristin Vukovic.  Kristin Vukovic’s debut novel has captivated readers around the world with its vivid portrayal of Croatian culture, traditions, and landscapes. It’s a story about family, heritage, and the timeless art of cheesemaking, all woven into a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. The book offers a window into the heart of Croatian life, making it an ideal starting point for Croatians Online’s new book club, which is dedicated to

31 prosinca, 2024

Sara Skoda

Wellness Wisdom: Doctor’s Monthly Advice – New Year Special Edition – How to stay healthy in 2025!

By Sara Skoda, featuring Dr. Matea Bagaric As we enter the New Year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on our health and well-being and set intentions for the year ahead. In this special New Year’s edition of Wellness Wisdom: Doctor’s Monthly Advice, Dr. Matea Bagaric, a medical doctor from Zagreb, Croatia, shares her top healthy living tips to help us start the year on the right track. Dr. Bagaric’s advice focuses on nurturing not just the body, but also the mind and spirit for a balanced, fulfilling life.  She shares her ‘Healthy Living Tips for the New Year:’ 1.

8 prosinca, 2024

Sara Skoda

[AUDIO ON SPOTIFY] Mate Capin: A Journey from War to Advocacy – A Story of Resilience and Healing

Mate Capin’s story is one of profound transformation.  Living in Sweden, after leaving Croatia at a very young age.  His path was shaped by a series of defining moments, not the least of which was his decision to join the Croatian Homeland War in the early 1990s, in his early twenties. This decision would alter the course of his life, taking him from the frontlines of a brutal conflict to a long and difficult battle with the scars left by war—both physical and psychological. In this podcast interview, we take a closer look at Mate’s journey, his struggles with post-traumatic

30 studenoga, 2024

Sara Skoda

Wellness Wisdom: Doctor’s Monthly Advice – November Edition – MEN’S HEALTH

By: Sara Skoda  As part of our continued effort towards health and wellness, and as we close on November, we are focusing on men’s health and especially men’s mental health.  This month, I thought I would share a bit from my perspective as a licensed mental health clinician and psychotherapist. Men’s health has long been a topic that is underemphasized, with many men tending to ignore the importance of both their physical and mental well-being. However, in recent years, there has been a growing recognition of how crucial mental health is for men, especially when considering the impact of stress

17 studenoga, 2024

Sara Skoda

[AUDIO ON SPOTIFY] Embracing Culture: Naša Budućnost Executive Board Discusses the Importance of Cultural Engagement

In a recent podcast episode, the executive board of Naša Budućnost, a Croatian-American organization with roots from the island of Ilovik—Jessica Raguzin (President), Victoria Vidulich (Vice President), and Vanessa Raguzin (Secretary)—joined ‘Keep it Croatian’ host Sara for a compelling discussion on the significance of cultural organizations and the role of youth in preserving cultural heritage. The conversation began with the board members highlighting the critical role that cultural organizations play in fostering a sense of identity and community. They emphasized that engaging with one’s culture not only strengthens personal identity but also fosters connections with others who share similar backgrounds

5 studenoga, 2024

Sara Skoda

[AUDIO ON SPOTIFY] Discovering Croatia: Randall Olson’s Culinary and Wine Tours

Randall Olson, a Twin Cities native from Minnesota, has transformed his passion for travel into a thriving venture that showcases the beauty and culture of Croatia through curated wine and culinary tours. His tour invites travelers to explore the breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and vibrant gastronomy of this stunning Mediterranean gem, particularly during the enchanting fall season. A Love Story with Croatia Randall’s journey began with a simple visit to Croatia, where he was instantly captivated by the country’s charm. From the lively streets of Zagreb to the picturesque hills of Istria and the stunning coastal views of Dubrovnik, Randall

30 listopada, 2024

Sara Skoda

A Night of Croatian Pride: Brooklyn Nets vs. Denver Nuggets

By Sara Skoda with Daniel Karlovic  On the evening of Tuesday, October 29, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, became a vibrant hub of basketball excitement as the Brooklyn Nets faced off against the Denver Nuggets. The game was not only a thrilling matchup for fans but also a celebration of Croatian talent in the NBA, with two standout players representing their homeland: Bojan Bogdanović of the Nets and Dario Šarić of the Nuggets. Croatians Online had the opportunity to speak with Dario Šarić before the game. He expressed his happiness about the Croatian representation in the arena, demonstrating his

28 listopada, 2024

Sara Skoda

Wellness Wisdom: Doctor’s Monthly Advice – October Edition – Breast Cancer Awareness Month 

As part of our new initiative, Wellness Wisdom: Doctor’s Monthly Advice, we are excited to bring you expert insights from leading professionals in the field of health and wellness. This month, we feature Dr. Dino Ravnic, an esteemed physician from Penn State, who shares crucial advice in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. October is a pivotal time for raising awareness about breast cancer, a disease that affects millions of women worldwide. Early detection is key to improving outcomes, and Dr. Ravnic emphasizes the importance of regular mammogram screenings for women at average risk. Dr. Ravnic advises that women should