The Soundtrack Of Success: What My Collective Vocal Media Top Stories Sound Like

Just to ignite some more creativity, both with the existence of music and my passion for freelance writing and creativity; a cool and comforting thought was to compile a playlist - a soundtrack of songs that reflect the meaning of each article that has won a Top Story Award for me on Vocal Media from 2021 until today. And of course this is to inspire people to write if they are writers, and/or to achieve their goals in other areas of life. Persistence certainly pays, even if it feels like your work is not being recognised. There are no inflated egos here, only humility.

Without love and gratitude (two of the highest positive emotions a human being can evoke) - music and sound would not exist. Writing would not exist. Musicians would not exist. This website would not exist. I doubt that any of us would exist. Hence this playlist and soundtrack is a celebration of sorts. Where a song has already been shared in a Top Story award winning article/story - that song will be shared, elaborating on the meaning behind that choice. For Top Story award winning articles/stories (there are a few) where a song was not originally shared; a song choice will now be shared with the reasoning behind my choice.

Without further ado, the title of the article will be shared, followed by the month and year the Top Story Award was won, followed by the Vocal Media Community that the relevant article was shared in, followed by the song choice with my thought processes behind each relevant song choice. This soundtrack will begin with the most recent Top Story Award win on this awesome and engaging platform. Thank me later.

Here we go, all of my Vocal Media Top Story award winning articles/stories as a soundtrack/playlist:

1. How Climate Anxiety Is Reshaping Life Decisions

Top Story: April 2026

Community: Psyche

I Was Here by Beyonce:

This song touches a nerve, as this ex-Destiny's Child singer performs with such courage, bravery, and authenticity. This is a song that is all about leaving our mark on this earth in a positive way, despite the current challenges that humanity is dealing with both individually and collectively, including current anxieties around gas and other shortages, as at the time of writing. This song captures the essence of living life as best as you can with no regrets.

2. The Friendship Recession: Why Adults Are Struggling To Build Close Relationships

Top Story: March 2026

Community: Psyche

22 by Taylor Swift:

A song choice was not originally chosen for this particular Vocal Media article. Based on gut instincts, this song by Tay Tay is chosen due to the meaning of letting go of past dramas (not implying that past friendships provided such, yet some old friendships might have attracted some conflict and misunderstandings); and having permission to let go of the people who longer support you on this journey called life.

In moving forward, this song also captures the spirit of enjoying life with those relationships that are supporting and holding you right here, right now.

3. What Happens To Your Brain When You Stop Multitasking

Top Story: February 2026

Community: Psyche

I Won't Back Down by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers

This song was chosen due to the message it conveys about staying grounded and determined in living life on your own terms. Keep things steady and grounded - the by-product of focusing on only one thing at a time. The refusal of allowing a world to push you around is what the lyrics of this revolutionary song aims to encapsulate.

4. The Hidden Costs of Hustling

Top Story: December 2025

Community: Psyche

Save Myself by Ed Sheeran

You have to look after yourself, before you can look after people. In the safety demonstrations on planes, you are constantly reminded to ensure that your oxygen mask is on first, before helping another person with theirs. For all of the hustlers out there, and/or for those who want to enjoy the slow lane a little more while still being able to meet your needs, in tandem with fulfilling life's demands and obligations; this song is speaking to you.

5. Gift Giving Must Be Mindful

Top Story: November 2025

Community: Psyche

Kind and Generous by Natalie Merchant

Simply put, gifts are gestures of thanks and appreciation. Givers of gifts feel the appreciation and positive energy when a receiver of their thoughtful gift conveys appreciation and gratitude for such. If someone has helped you out in some way, shape or form; thank them for it as you would. Thanks and praise is always appreciated. It never goes out style.

6. Overcoming Boredom: When The Sparks Go Out

Top Story: October 2025

Community: Psyche

Fall In Love Again and Again by Charli XCX

Life when inspired and not bored is romantic. A perfect reminder that when you are immersed in activities that allow time to pass organically is a tell tale sign that you are on track.

7. Your Body Definitely Keeps The Score

Top Story: October 2025

Community: Psyche

Walk Away by Xavier Rudd

This song is calm and serene, giving people permission to let go of what no longer serves them, from trauma to negative energy. The focus is also on letting go of broken dreams. You body does and will continue to keep the score. Illness and/or injury serves as feedback on what is going on, when time out is taken calmly to listen to your body and your life.

8. Grieving The Life You Never Had

Top Story: August 2025

Community: Psyche

Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush

An 80's revival thanks to a popular Netflix series called Stranger Things. The original article did not conclude with a suitable song choice at the time of publication, as the inspiration was not there. Grief is a heavy subject. This song is all about that strong yearning for empathy - to make a deal with the divine at large to trade places with someone to fully appreciate their perspective on their problems and losses.

9. We Resign from More Than just Jobs

Top Story: June 2025

Community: Psyche

Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds

No song choice was chosen on this Vocal Media article at the time of publication. At the time, I was overjoyed to finally kiss chronic illness goodbye. This article was a resignation letter to such to inspire and help others dealing with adversity. In some cases, when some people resign from jobs, it is because it feels like (to them) that their skills, experiences and contributions are "forgotten."

10. Grieving is More Than Losing People in Your Life

Top Story: March 2025

Community: Psyche

Let It Be by The Beatles

This article was appropriate and fitting at the time. Grief is hard, and so is losing something and/or someone you once loved. This song choice called for a soothing anthem to help people grieve the end of an era, where the acceptance stage is reached with time, love, and healing. A timeless classic.

11. A Bittersweet Symphony

Top Story: December 2024

Community: Beat

Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve

Pretty frickin obvious in this article. This song once struck a nerve with readers, and continues to do so since 1997.

12. Did We Manifest AI Due to Collective Human Attitudes on Work?

Top Story: April 2024

Community: Journal

Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield

As this is a sensitive and relatable phenomenon, no song choice was granted at the time due to the articles length. I appreciate everyone that read this article, despite its length. Unwritten is designed for people to rewrite their own story in the midst of uncertainty.

13. How My First Fish Therapy Session Went

Top Story: October 2023

Community: Longevity

Adventure Of A Lifetime by Coldplay

This article was all about a novel experience that felt incredible on an interstate holiday at the time. The experience was cathartic - once in a lifetime. Hence why I chose something upbeat to put and keep people in a positive frame of mind.

14. Why I Purchased Some Shares in Vocal Media

Top Story: September 2023

Community: Trader

Walking On Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves

I took a chance to share my story on why I invest in shares in my investment portfolio, and why I decided to be a part owner of Vocal Media, and not just a writer on this great platform. (Of course, all of these Top Story Awards were won and granted on their own merits and hard work). Due to a topic that can cause mixed reactions, it was not appropriate to add in a song to this article. This song choice is all about celebrating and feeling good. Celebrate your hard work, where you have the funds to invest for a better future with what you can afford to risk at the time.

15. Why Writing is so Difficult, but Worth its Weight in Gold.

Top Story: August 2023

Community: Writers

Life Is A Rollercoaster by Ronan Keating

This song encapsulates my full circle journey as a freelance writer, combined with the ups and downs during this journey which continues to grow and prosper. Hence why I chose the main image of this article to be just that - a rollercoaster. There are moments where your work is well received by your readers and subscribers, and at other times it's just crickets, crickets.

16. Will Tay Tay's Eras Tour Boost Inflation Figures?

Top Story: July 2023

Community: Beat

Cardigan by Taylor Swift

Of course I had to include a Tay Tay song. It is only appropriate and fitting here. Cardigan sticks, as we have all been in love triangles at some point, however inflation today is a complex maze, just as complicated as a teenage love triangle can be. And I cannot get this song out of my head rent free at the moment, thanks to those The Summer I Turned Pretty binges.

17. I Recently Sold a Home, and I Cried on Settlement Day.

Top Story: October 2022

Community: Lifehack

Fader by The Temper Trap

This was a painful article to write and publish, however I knew that I would be a disservice to my readers and to Vocal Media if I left this one in my head. This was a risk that paid off, as this article clearly struck a few nerves, and mainly for the better. I still have no regrets for making this mammoth life changing decision. Sure, it hurts to not own any real estate at the moment, however the continued financial boost to my savings and interest income is still a blessing to this day. Fader by The Temper Trap is another song I cannot get out of my head. The idea of owning real estate for now is fading, and has faded for the time being. Talking to others did not change a thing. This sale was solely my decision.

18. You Can Beat Inflation

Top Story: June 2022

Community: Lifehack

As It Was by Harry Styles

Still the sign of the times unfortunately. A controversial one, yet the words (once again) needed to come out to help people on the advent of the (unfortunate) cost of living crisis. This song is about nostalgia and loss, as well as how the effects of the pandemic that caused inflation to go nuts transformed Harry's life in a profound way.

19. Valuable Life Lessons From The Five Feet Apart Movie

Top Story: August 2021

Community: Geeks

Don't Give Up On Me by Andy Grammer

Written in a tough time, and during a lockdown period where the long, necessary pause on life was a flavour of the times. The song is chosen based on its themes on resilience, patience and persistence that paid off for Stella in the movie in the end. And this song was the main theme of the movies soundtrack. The movie talked about in this appropriate and fitting article choice birthed the idea that we all needed as much help and support as we could obtain at that time.

20. Why I Quit Working in a Not-Quite-Right Job Past its Use-By Date

Top Story: June 2021

Community: Motivation

This Is The Day by The The

Hurrah - my first ever Top Story Award on Vocal Media, after persisting for 18 months writing for and on this fantastic website up until that point. This is the song about changes and turning points (super appropriate). I shared my pain and vulnerabilities with my readers and (then) small subscriber base. My first ever tip payment came from this piece (fun fact, and something to be proud of, no matter the amount).

When you quit any job (especially one beyond its use by date) - this sound is a profound soundtrack. On this day (when I wrote and published this article), I had fun, and I allowed my intuition to really fly, despite the life changing pandemic at the time.

I am grateful for these 20 Top Story Awards during my time writing for Vocal Media thus far. Onwards and upwards from here. Cheers to many more.

You need to put in the effort, and be in touch with the needs of your readers and subscribers to be considered for such. I write and edit like my life depends on it, as people deserve to read quality work. I never take anything for granted, however I am certain that my writing work and craft will only grow and blossom from here. Thank you so much for your continued support, always.