Jason Salzman

Former media critic at the Rocky Mountain News; Blogger, www.bigmedia.org.

If I were host Carlson, I would have asked Wadhams if substantive changes, even itsy bitsy ones, are required by GOP candidates to avoid the alienation trap.

Steven Raichlen

Grilling Authority, www.barbecuebible.com

Salt. It may be the only food we eat that starts as a rock. Reason enough to check out this book and to try this recipe.

Steph Sherer

Executive Director, Americans for Safe Access

It's not simply a battle of politics and laws that takes place in legislatures and courtrooms. It is a war that is being waged in our neighborhoods on a daily basis, adversely affecting millions of people every year, and costing the U.S. taxpayers hundreds of million dollars.

Isabel Song

High school sophomore

I have to admit the entire thing is surreal. It's one thing to be fire hours away from it, but it's a completely different experience wondering if your friends' homes have been one of the unfortunate.

Ann Brenoff

Senior Writer, The Huffington Post

In fifth grade, my BFF Diane dumped me for some girl named Helen. Diane and I had been inseparable for years and it took me what felt like forever to get over feeling betrayed. I agonized over what I had 'done' to deserve such mistreatment, and spent months eating my lunch alone under 'our' tree on the playground.

Dr. Joseph Mercola

Physician and author

If you catch a child with a finger up his nose, you probably discourage it. But could the "nasty" habit of nose-picking -- and eating it -- be more sanitary and even health-beneficial than we've been taught?

Brian Klems

Author

Too many things are left unsaid, like "I love you" or "I appreciate you" or "I admit it, Toy Story 3 made me cry." I've decided to jot down some notes that way if something awful happens to me in the near future, my girls will get at least some sense of who I am, who I strive to be and what I value in life.

Brie Dyas

The rebrand brought in stylish goods at low prices. So, why did so many complain? And why did J.C. Penney actually raise prices after apologizing for the changes?

Josh Sugarmann

Executive director, Violence Policy Center

The NRA and its "corporate partners" in the gun industry have opposed and blocked even the smallest steps forward to regulate firearms. This kind of obstruction has consequences for real people: families left bereft, communities devastated.

Amber Stenson

Regional Program Officer for Latin America, Water For People

As Colorado faces another long and dry season with devastating wildfires, water is definitely becoming a top issue. And it should be.

Ariane Zurcher

Writer & Blogger: Emma's Hope Book, Where Art & Life Meet

As we rally around, trying to distance or identify with the parent, Alex and those like him are all but forgotten. His life is seen as an example of what some must endure. But what about Alex? What about what Alex had to endure?

Mitch Kellaway

Independent transgender scholar, freelance writer

My internal dialogue: "Why are these companies trying to sell me their merchandise in my space? Why should we consider it a victory that we've become another niche market to sell to? This day isn't about them, no matter how hard they try to make it so."

Diane Dimond

Television journalist, author, syndicated columnist

Anyone out there live in a haunted house? It might seem like a silly question, but as home sales pick up you should know there are laws against selling a house without full disclosure.

Shan Wells

Nationally syndicated political cartoonist

Sarah Flanagan

Freelance writer

Once you get shocked, you will abandon attempts to stealthily avoid the live wires and sprint as hard as you can in order to not get shocked again.

Zachary Podmore

Colorado native and environmental blogger

With the vast majority of gas-rich public lands in Colorado leased and already slated for development, it's more urgent than ever that these assessments are made and community voices are heard before more of our forgotten wilderness areas disappear.

Nate C. Hindman and Joe Epstein

Israeli army veteran Ben Biron's new invention could save more lives per year than racks of Kevlar vests and warehouses full of armor plating. Also, it tells you where to get cheese fries late-night.