MEET THE WRITER
Nicole Karlis
Health, Science
& Wellness Journalist
As a health, science and wellness journalist, I cover a range of topics. From women’s health and reproductive care to wellness trends to the science of community and connection, my work aims to understand the systems that shape how we care for ourselves and each other.
Published in
Currently, I’m a freelancer and senior contributing writer for Salon, where I’ve covered women’s health, science, and wellness culture since 2017. My writing has been featured in numerous national and international media publications, including The New York Times, SELF magazine, Glamour UK, Marie Claire, The Bold Italic, The Florentine, and others. I have made media appearances as an expert on PBS Story in the Public Square and on multiple podcasts, including Something You Should Know and SiriusXM Doctor Radio.
In 2025, the University of California Press published my book Your Brain on Altruism: The Power of Connection and Community During Times of Crisis. In 2023, my story “The Online Baby Sleep Boom,” published in Salon, placed third in the consumer/feature category of the Association of Health Care Journalists Awards. In 2020, I was a recipient of the USC Center for Health Journalism California Fellowship Project. Before writing for Salon, I was a contributing editor at The Bold Italic, a California-based culture magazine.
I’m currently based in Florence, Italy, where I’m writing more about how living here is changing the way I think about health and wellness.
Wellness Journalist
Reporting on Health,
Science & Wellness
Featured Writing
My writing has appeared in Glamour UK, The New York Times, SELF, Marie Claire, The Florentine. I’m a senior contributing writer to Salon, where I’ve covered women’s health, science, and wellness since 2017
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What Is ‘Nonnamaxxing’? The Italian Grandma Lifestyle Might Be the Secret to Longevity
For a happier and healthier life, try these sensible habits.
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When “abortion travel” becomes a nightmare: A tale of no good choices
She wanted a baby — but her fetus had no chance of survival. How Idaho's abortion laws led to devastating trauma
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Why Doing Good Is Good for the Do-Gooder
Prosocial behavior provides both physical and mental health benefits, creating a "helper’s high"
EXPLORE THE BOOK
Your Brain
on Altruism
What role does human connection play in our health—and what happens when it’s missing?
Your Brain on Altruism explores the science of connection, caregiving, and community during times of crisis, offering a new perspective on resilience and well-being.
Learn More About the Book
Order Today →
Rethinking How We
Understand Health & Wellness
Health is often framed as something personal, something we can control through better lifestyle choices. But that perspective isn’t the full story.
My work is grounded in the belief that health is shaped by the systems, cultures, and communities around us. By examining those influences more closely, we can begin to build a more realistic—and more supportive—understanding of what it means to be well.
This work is ultimately about contributing to a broader culture of care—one where well-being is not treated as an individual burden, but as something we create together.