A platform that unites art, business and life – and inspires introspection
MEDIA INTERVIEW
by Dragan Nikolić
Mia Medaković Topalović
Founder and editor-in-chief of Refresh Your Life magazine
In this conversation with Mia Medaković Teodorović, founder and editor-in-chief of Refresh Your Life magazine, we explore how this publication succeeds in being a voice that unites art, spirituality and lifestyle – with an authentic approach, free of sensationalism. Mia shares what inspires Refresh Your Life, how it has evolved, the challenges of independent media work, and what she hopes to achieve in the years ahead.
Long-form reading is not a burden but a pleasure and a source of inspiration
RYL is a distinctive magazine that blends lifestyle and mindstyle with philosophy, literature, art and deep reflections on life. How did the idea for such a concept come about, and what was the guiding thought when you launched the magazine?
The idea for RYL was born from a desire to connect lifestyle with deeper reflections on the world, art and people. I wanted to create a space where readers could not only enjoy beauty and inspiration but also be encouraged to look inward. My guiding thought was for the magazine to serve as a bridge between the outer and inner worlds – to inspire, raise questions, unveil emotions and help people better understand themselves and the world around them. My primary focus is on art, business, and personal growth. The magazine has become a recognised platform that fosters creativity, sparks dialogue and empowers its readers.
RYL is a space unlike traditional media. I wanted it not to be just another lifestyle magazine, but one that encourages, guides and makes life more beautiful and authentic.
It is often said today that people read only headlines and that attention spans are getting shorter. Do you see this among your readers, or is there still an audience that wants to read longer, more serious texts?
Indeed, attention today often gravitates towards shorter, faster content, but I believe there is still an audience that wishes to immerse themselves in longer, more serious pieces. From the example of our readers, I see that those who truly connect with RYL appreciate the chance to pause and savour the content. RYL aims to be a place where that kind of attention is nurtured – where long-form reading is not a burden but a pleasure and a source of inspiration.
RYL has a mission – to empower, support and inspire
Bad news, crime stories, and sensationalism mostly dominate the media. Do you believe there is room for good, inspiring stories and positive news, and what kind of response do you get from your readers when you publish them?
I absolutely believe there is room for good, inspiring stories. People want to hear about beauty, courage, creativity and human achievements – not just about problems and scandals. Whenever we publish such stories, the response from our audience is overwhelmingly positive; readers write to us saying they feel inspired, reminded of kindness and encouraged to see the world from a different perspective. RYL strives to be a place where such stories are nurtured and shared, because we believe inspiration can transform everyday life.
Each issue of RYL has a central theme. How do you choose the themes, and how do you encourage authors and contributors to write in line with them while keeping their own voice?
I choose the themes for each issue to reflect the spiritual and artistic pulse of the moment, as well as the inner reflections we wish to inspire in our readers. When working with authors and contributors, I encourage them to explore their own creative perspective within that theme while keeping their unique voice. I believe it is precisely this combination – a clear central thread and freedom of expression – that makes RYL vibrant, authentic and truly alive.
RYL has a wide network of contributors from different fields. How important is it to you that the authors come from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, and how does that contribute to the magazine’s quality?
It is very important to me that our authors come from different cultural and professional backgrounds, as each perspective brings a new layer, a new page for the reader to discover. This diversity enriches RYL, making the texts layered and inspiring, and allows readers to gain a broader view of the world through different experiences and sensibilities. It is precisely this combination of voices that gives the magazine its unique quality and spiritual depth – a reflection of our readership, who are intellectuals with a broader perspective on the world and their own growth.
What is RYL’s relationship with the diplomatic community in Serbia, and do you see your magazine as a platform for promoting cultural and bilateral ties with other countries?
I have been a member of the International Women’s Club in Belgrade since 2017 and have met many women from all over the world, whose spouses are diplomats in Serbia. What connects us is precisely this shared appreciation of world cultures and, on my part, strong support through RYL magazine to promote them and bring them closer to the Serbian public. RYL is also the publisher of the book Belgrade through the Eyes of Foreigners, in which IWC members wrote about the places they love most in Belgrade and why the city has become their second home.
Therefore, RYL maintains a friendly and open relationship with the diplomatic community in Serbia, as we believe in the importance of cultural exchange and dialogue between nations. Through the magazine, we aim to be a platform that promotes art, culture and ideas that connect people, as well as to encourage understanding and bilateral links through inspiring stories and projects that bring different cultures together.
The position of journalists in Serbia today is not easy, and media freedom is a frequently debated topic. From an editor’s perspective, how do you view the state of media freedom, and what challenges do you see for journalists who wish to pursue serious, independent journalism?
The state of media freedom in Serbia is challenging and requires constant attention. Journalists who wish to pursue serious and independent journalism often face pressures, financial constraints and the need to balance market demands with professional ethics. As an editor, I believe it is crucial to create a space where quality, investigative and thoughtful journalism can thrive, and to support journalists in their courage to put the truth first.
As a woman editor and journalist, what is your view on the position of women in the media in Serbia? Is their position equal, and what obstacles still exist?
The position of women in the Serbian media has improved, but it remains unequal. Women often have to balance professional demands with social expectations, and at times face obstacles such as stereotypes and unequal opportunities for advancement. It is essential to create a media environment that recognises, supports, and amplifies women’s voices, as their perspectives contribute to better, more diverse, and more authentic journalism.
The obstacles in the media are numerous – from political and economic pressures, financial instability, and dependence on advertisers, to insufficient protection for journalists and the ever-faster pace of content production that leaves little room for in-depth, investigative reporting. We also face the dominance of sensationalism, which makes it harder to create space for truthful, quality and authentic work. This is why I believe it is essential for the media to persevere in upholding professional and moral principles.
RYL is a high-quality magazine, but it is digital and aimed at an audience that seeks meaningful content. How difficult is it to maintain financial sustainability and profitability when you avoid clickbait and sensationalism?
Maintaining the financial sustainability of a digital magazine that eschews clickbait and sensationalism is certainly a challenge. The audience that values meaningful, high-quality content is smaller than the one that chases quick thrills. Still, I believe that, in the long run, such an approach builds loyal readers and the magazine’s credibility. At RYL, we strive to strike a balance between creative freedom, quality content and a sustainable business model, because we believe that the value of quality journalism pays off over time.
Is it easy? No. Has it all been worthwhile over the magazine’s ten years of existence? Yes – because RYL has a mission.
Finally, what fulfils you the most in this work, and what would you like to achieve with RYL in the coming years?
What fulfils me most is seeing how each issue is better than the last – how we grow through creation and knowledge. I feel fulfilled when we are compared to international magazines in every sense, when we receive support, as well as constructive criticism.
I love seeing our readers pause and truly connect with the stories and articles – when they are inspired, encouraged to reflect, or gain a new perspective on their lives. In the coming years, I want RYL to become an even more recognisable platform that unites art, business and lifestyle, and a place that supports authors and creatives, spreading culture, dialogue and inspiration in Serbia and beyond. We are here to empower, support and give wind to the backs of both our readers and our authors.
I want to emphasise that Refresh Your Life magazine serves as a bridge between art and business, between the outer and inner worlds, between inspiration and daily life, and between different cultures, ideas, and sensibilities.