August 28 2026

Second jobs, side hustles and insecurity: the financial struggles of the working class

XSTSY MEDIA conducted an informal survey via Instagram poll, generationally ranging from Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z, who work two jobs and how that is affecting their lives.

August 27 2026

South El Monte City Council denies mega warehouse

This special meeting housed over 200 residents who showed up for public comment which initially lasted four hours before the closed session took place.

June 12 2026

Get your coffee on: SoCal Edition

So from one addict to another; News/Life Editor, Taylor Moore breaks down my favorite coffee spots from pricing, atmosphere and drink options. 

April 20 2026

Trinket nostalgia goes viral in Whittier

Trinket boxes went viral online as local residents lined up to trade their trinkets for new ones. With the lack of third spaces, Gen Z is creating an interactive and community bonding opportunity to meet new people or hang out with your friends while trading small, impractical toys that bring lots of joy.

April 17 2026

Know Your Rights Against Ice

Following the January 2025 rescission of sensitive location policies, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can now legally conduct enforcement actions on U.S. college campuses, public and private institutions alike. Agents may enter public areas without a warrant to detain students or staff, while non-public areas, such as dorms or offices, require a judicial warrant.

Opinion • January 26 2026

2026? 2016? No, 1960!

Blue eyeshadow, big sunglasses and the youth’s rebellion against the government shows patterns of the 1960s that XSTSY MEDIA believes is making a comeback. Or we hope so!

October 30 2025

A walk down slasher lane: Where “Halloween” was born

If you haven’t seen “Halloween” (1978), pause this article, turn it on with some popcorn and a blanket, then come back so you can enjoy its horror supremacy as you read on, since there might be some spoilers ahead.

October 1 2025

Gen Z: The Generation of Despair

Political violence, climate change, economic struggles, mental health crisis and an A.I.-led job market are all contributors to this impending doom Gen Z carries, as half of them are college graduates, starting their adult lives.

September 30 2025

Witches and Slashers and Clowns, OH MY: Halloween Horror Nights is Back to Terrify Hollywood

Featuring big headlining mazes like Five Nights at Freddy’s, Poltergeist, Jason’s Universe (from the Friday the 13th Franchise) and Terrifier, as well as a handful of Universal’s original concepts, Universal truly elevated the horror level. 

September 30 2025

Bling It Nails: How a lifelong passion for art turned into a thriving salon

Rodriguez grew up with a love for art. In her childhood, she was spending her time drawing, painting and doing arts and crafts. That artistic love only grew the older she got.

August 14 2025

Need help finding a spot for your next beach day?

News/Life Editor, Taylor Moore, put together a list of some of the best beaches to visit in SoCal based on her own personal experiences. As a self-proclaimed “beach bum,” she can assure you she is highly qualified to share tips for beach going.

August 14 2025

La Verne celebrates train station opening while Pomona demonstrator protests ICE

The city of La Verne and city of Pomona came together to celebrate the La Verne/Fairplex station completion on June 21, between White Avenue and E Street, while an Anti-ICE protester utilized his first amendment.

August 3 2025

Alexandria Hotel captures history while embracing adaptability

Like many other historic hotels in Downtown Los Angeles today, the Alexandria stands as an affordable and supported housing complex. If someone is experiencing homelessness they have the opportunity to apply and live at the Alexandria Hotel under Section 8. 

June 20 2025

Can Summer 2025 compete with last year’s ‘Brat Summer” phenomenon?

The craze that was ‘Brat Summer’ sparked something inside the younger generations to normalize letting go of the harshness of the world and dancing with your friends all night long. But will it roll over into this summer while still providing an uniquity to Summer 2025: the quarter summer of the century?

Dating in your 20's • June 19 2025

It’s Complicated. Or is it? An Inside Look to Dating in Your 20’s

Dating can be a fun experience or an incredibly awkward and painful one. If you start adding factors like dating apps, social media, finances and careers, it becomes more complicated.

June 12 2025

A scent that tells a story: Pisces Midheaven transports reality through perfumery

For Effie Alaia, that scent is ‘Fallen Angel’ from Pisces Midheaven. The brand Alaia launched years ago showcasing her art, such as clothes, handmade jewelry and phone cases, has now solidified into a perfume brand.

July 13 2025

Harsh Exterior: An outlet for grief transforms into a sustainable business

Cassidy Thompson, creator of Harsh Exterior, utilizes her self-care outlets and profits them into a sustainable, small business, all while finding herself within a supportive and uplifting community that is rave culture.

June 11 2026

In Spotify we *don’t* trust?

Now, both of the top competitors are revealing new features to their systems that consumers are uninterested in, leaving the service for an alternative platform that is more transparent and fair. Spotify is just taking a few more punches. 

April 17 2026

Rave Against the Machine

Raving’s political roots of rebellion and its ability to help escape from the day to day horrors in a non-violent way, makes sound in the present day with collectives speaking out about America’s injustices through peaceful protests.

Andrew Made

October 10 2025

Red Room Collective Vol. 2:

The anniversary held on a Friday and Saturday featured 28 DJs in total, spinning house tracks in honor of another year of accomplishments and trying new things.

August 3 2025

Alexandria Hotel captures history while embracing adaptability

Like many other historic hotels in Downtown Los Angeles today, the Alexandria stands as an affordable and supported housing complex. If someone is experiencing homelessness they have the opportunity to apply and live at the Alexandria Hotel under Section 8. 

June 20 2025

Can Summer 2025 compete with last year’s ‘Brat Summer” phenomenon?

The craze that was ‘Brat Summer’ sparked something inside the younger generations to normalize letting go of the harshness of the world and dancing with your friends all night long. But will it roll over into this summer while still providing an uniquity to Summer 2025: the quarter summer of the century?

Symbiosis Events • June 11 2025

The event without an ego: Symbiosis presses play

People nurture music as it nurtures them back and Eddie Wonders wants to provide an event where the dancing and music are simultaneously generating welcoming energy the dance music scene used to radiate.

April 20 2026

Creative Wear Ideas for this Festival Season

Editor-in-Chief, Sarah Van Buskirk takes her scarf…necklaces… cardigan…long sleeve… and belts to prove consumerism is not necessary.

January 25 2026

New Year, Same Clothes & New Outfits

Editor-in-Chief, Sarah Van Buskirk, styles pieces in her closet she has not worn in a while or has never worn at all!

November 25 2025

5 Fall accessories fitted for forever

One thing that never goes out of trend, is personal style, but it has always been tough developing just that, while having to keep this question in mind, “will these be back ‘in’ eventually, or is this trend over forever?”

James Thomas

November 25 2025

Runway for charity supports local non-profits

Ten percent of sales from the Maison Garrison pop-up boutique and gift certificate sales after the show, were donated to two non-profit, whose founders are also a part of the Upland Boss Ladies.

Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels

September 30 2025

California closet transition from Summer to Fall

Buying an entire new wardrobe may not be in the budget nor sustainable. However, I can almost bet there is something from your summer wardrobe that you can bring into fall by styling differently or pairing it with a piece you would not typically combine it with.

July 13 2025

Harsh Exterior: An outlet for grief transforms into a sustainable business

Cassidy Thompson, creator of Harsh Exterior, utilizes her self-care outlets and profits them into a sustainable, small business, all while finding herself within a supportive and uplifting community that is rave culture.

June 19 2025

Raveival challenges fast-fashion narrative with PLUR

Raveival, an online marketplace where ravers can buy, sell and trade second-hand festival fashion, is changing the narrative of fast-fashion and ultra consumerism at festivals through whimsy and education.

June 18 2026

Slasher Summer sets up for the season

Horror fans who suffer from Halloween withdrawals have clung to the Summerween to get their spooky fix in the middle of the year. 

June 11 2026

How​​-To: have a screen-less summer

XSTSY MEDIA compiled a list of screen-less activities to partake in that can help with the detachment to our everyday stressors.

April 18 2026

Spring Closet Clean Out = UPCYCLING

Editor-in-Chief, Sarah Van Buskirk filtered through her closet to find clothes she needs to fix or up cycle in order to wear instead of getting rid of pieces with potential.

January 27 2026

Presence in a time of chaos

Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee, Lindsey Pacela, offers us an audio with a short breathing and drawing exercise to help ground one's self if anxiety begins infiltrating your mind and life.

December 18 2025

Taylor's Guide to the Top Holiday Light Displays in Southern California

Maybe you have no idea where to go to see Christmas lights, or maybe you have too many TikToks or Instagram reels of places to choose from that you’re feeling overwhelmed. Never fear, that’s why this article is here.

December 17 2025

Ho, Ho, How-to embrace an anti-consumerism Christmas

XSTSY MEDIA praises sustainability, as well as “balling on a budget.” The holiday season is already flooded with single-use products like wrapping paper, bows and plastic ribbons. So we compiled a list of gifts and decorations that aid toward the environment and protest against the support of big corporations. 

November 25 2025

Taylor’s creamy pesto pasta topped with honey glazed salmon

This honey-glazed salmon on top of creamy pesto pasta will be the perfect meal to warm you up not just in the fall, but all year-round.

October 29 2025

Halloween Costume Couture: 3+ ideas you can pull from your closet!

I compiled three costumes that you can tailor to your own personal style in whatever ever way you please while still being recognizable and feeling #SWAG or #SEXY hehe.

September 30 2025

Getting into the spooky season spirit with Taylor!

I’m not calling myself a spooky expert by no means, but I’ve managed to put together quite the fall itinerary over the years. From outings on a budget to going all out, here are the best ways for you to get into the spooky spirit this year.

Photo by Jb Jorge Barreto on Pexels

September 2 2025

Lindsey's Gluten Free Brownie Recipe

Even with food allergies or diet changes, you can still enjoy a moist and sweet treat!

June 19 2025

The Perfect Mac-n-Cheese for Your Summer Barbecue

Summer is just around the corner, and so are the sizzlin’ summer barbecues with grilled steaks, ribs, burgers or hotdogs. Of course, no barbecue is complete with some killer sides.