Substacks recommended by Jo Paoletti

Recommended by Jo Paoletti

Unflinching journalism in defense of democracy

Gender/sex and Science reports on diversity and the reliability of scientific knowledge. It is a place to find tidbits: some fascinating biological finding, a discussion of gender/sex diversity, or an examination of scientific knowledge itself.

The Beautiful Mess by John Pavlovitz

Authentic words for everyone trying to figure out the best way to be human.

The Substack Soirée

By Sara & Keeley

Free resources and insights to help make your Substack the most exclusive party in town. *PLUS* a new class from ME&ORLA. Subscribe to hear more!

Personal Canon Formation

By John Halbrooks

A newsletter about how we read and listen to enrich our lives

Deep Thoughts

By Master Coach Adette

Welcome to Deep Thoughts! Explore diverse topics on health, wealth relationships, psychology, and more. Subscribe for free to receive thought-provoking insights and interesting facts. Join our community of curious minds! #DeepThoughts #StayCurious

Gender Mystique

By Jo Paoletti

Musings on gender and fashion, some old, some new, by a retired dress historian who hasn't stopped musing.

Grizzly Pear Jr.

By Justus

word art from the suburban desert

The Empty Notebook: Personal Essays and Process

By Ryan Lancaster

Thoughts on literature, pop culture, music, and whatever else. We've got essays, recommendations, and more.

Thoughtful engaging essays about books, music, and life.

- Jo Paoletti

Microseasons

By Ann Collins

A Field Guide to Savoring 72 Seasons of the Year

BordoLines

By Susan Bordo

I write about politics, gender, history, popular culture, and mass media—what moves me, what delights me, what irritates me, and what worries me—from movies and cable tv to mainstream news publications and broadcasts to commercials and ads.

Hold My Chalice

By Rev. Kimberley Debus

Thoughts about worship, theology, governance, congregational life, and the nonsense that emerges with humans in religious community. Written with a liberal religious bent and fair bit of snark.

Zuko's Musings

By Jenn Zuko

Stuff and nonsense about the nerdings-out I do on a thrice-weekly basis. Memoir, cultural commentary, literary analysis, theatrical and academic rantings. Unhinged personal essays. Pub reviews. Cool? Cool.

The Moral of the Story

By Kevin James Doyle

Stories where I learned something and hopefully you learn something as well.

Kevin and I share a commitment to honest writing about real life. He's a better writer, tho.

- Jo Paoletti

Michael Mohr's Sincere American Writing

Essays about literature, politics, culture and writing delivered 1-3 times per week. Beware: I belong to no tribe. I think for myself so you don't have to. You may disagree with me, but you'll respect me.

Reasons Not to Quit

By Hanne Blank Boyd

A newsletter for writers, creatives, and everyone trying to think smarter, write better, and find pragmatic, useful ways to cope with life's arrrgh.

Footnotes and Tangents

By Simon Haisell

Slow reads of great books. Book guides and a reading community to help you get more from the best stories.

Oldster Magazine

By Sari Botton

Exploring what it means to travel through time in a human body, at every phase of life.

Everyday Knitter

By Louise Tilbrook

A cosy, creative community for yarn lovers, celebrating all things warm & handmade. A space to chat about what makes you happy, brings you comfort & what’s on your needles. Join us for weekly chats & inspiration. Grab a coffee, cosy up & tap to subscribe!

The EndGame

By Don Akchin

Aging with purpose and joy. The EndGame is an inquisitive, empathetic, and humorous exploration of all aspects of age, for those who are not ready to fade away.

Steady

By Dan Rather

Dan Rather's steady take on a complex and chaotic world.

Everything Is Amazing

By Mike Sowden

A newsletter about seeing more, feeling more and asking better questions - and a romp through science in search of a good "wow!" you can feel right down to your boots.

Weirdo Poetry

By Jason McBride

Cozy essays about walks through real and imagined landscapes, searching for wonder while making room for the melancholy and bittersweet found along the way.

The SneakyArt Post

By Nishant Jain

Secretly drawn art of the world, delivered to your inbox.

The Chocolate Taoist ™

By Diamond-Michael Scott

Taoist Wisdom for Living a More Inner Nomadic Life

Memoir Land

By Memoir Monday

Four verticals edited by Sari Botton: MEMOIR MONDAY, collab w/ Granta, Narratively, The Rumpus, Orion, The Walrus, Electric Lit, LitHub, Oldster; FIRST PERSON SINGULAR original essays; THE LIT LAB interviews + craft; GOODBYE TO ALL THAT, NYC stories.

Both Are True

By Alex Dobrenko

Funny, deep, relatable stories from a dad to two, husband to one, friend to all (except himself who he doesn't like v much but is working on it but like how can you really like yourself knowing everything you know about yourself, you know?)

Warning: Be sure to finish your beverage before reading. Failure to do so may cause keyboard damage and/or public embarrassment.

- Jo Paoletti

Spiral Notebook

Recommended by Jo Paoletti