The Inputs Series
Part 4: Substacks
When I compiled this list of the Substacks I read, I initially reacted as metamodern productivity sages might: Thirty-two newsletters! What in the world?! Woahamule, I need to unsubscribe from most of these newsletters! I gotta nix all this clutter, I gotta trim, I gotta stay focused, I gotta, I gotta, I gotta….
Then I recalled when and why I subscribed to each of them. I do not subscribe to any email blast that comes my way, even when suggested by a friend. On the contrary, I subscribe to a small percentage of the ones that come my way. Usually, if it piques my interest initially, I read some issues – as many as five over a few weeks – before I decide whether to subscribe.
Once I subscribe, usually I become a pretty invested reader. Meaning – I engage with the writer in their ideas and perspectives. In this way, often I come to know the writer, as a passing but interested acquaintance, or in some cases below, as a friend. In many instances, I set up calls or Zooms with the writer to learn more about their work. I have met several of them personally over the years, and I treasure those actual, face-to-face moments.
So, this list may seem long. But it has come as a result of quite a long, deliberate process of filtering and then considered engagement. Each one of the newsletters below has enriched my life, my thinking, my heart in consequential ways. I read the writers below with joy in my heart.
I hope you give at least a few of them a read too.
The Conservative Wahoo by Bryan McGrath
Bryan writes about his personal life and his professional expertise – seapower in this uncertain world. He expresses his personal musings with wit and serenity. In his professional analyses, he urges studied and serious reflection. Emphasis on the serious, as should befit a grave topic. Have we forgotten how to think – and act – with seriousness and gravitas?
The Ruffian by Ian Leslie
Leslie has written three books about human proclivities: on arguing, lying and curiosity. His newsletter also examines the strange and mysterious being we call the human, as an individual and in groups.
The Abbey of Misrule by Paul Kingsnorth
My favorite essays by Kingsnorth, a climate activist and convert to Orthodox Christianity, feature his series on “Wild Saints.” He writes, “I am fascinated with these people. Why? Well, partly because I think they bring the Christian Way to its purest expression. Partly because their stories are so intriguing and eccentric and sometimes even inexplicable. There’s a deep mystery to them. And finally because I have a strong intuition that they have something important to tell us today.”
Big Quit Energy by L. Vago
Man, I love L. Vago’s series “Slacker Fest” – deep dives into the classic movies of the slacker genre. Friday, Up in Smoke, Office Space, The Big Lebowski, and others.
Shades of Blue by Michael Cirigliano II
My appreciation and knowledge of “melancholy classical music” has increased about 10,000% since I subscribed to Michael’s weekly newsletter. Check out his look at what Mozart’s Fantasy in D Minor “can teach us about how we communicate with art”.
Myles Cooks by Myles Snider
My friend Ellen Fishbein suggested I check out Myles. With recipes, product reviews and menu ideas, he offers easy-to-follow ways to wow your palate. I’d love to take his class too.
Tiny Revolutions by Sara Campbell
You will not find a more beautiful soul writing more exquisite prose today.
A Continuous Lean by Michael Williams and The Contender by David Coggins
Michael’s and David’s podcast, Central Division, was noted in my podcast issue. They both offer helpful style counsel through their essays and occasional live Q&A sessions. They harken back to a day when everyone cared about how they appeared, not for shallow reasons of fashion, but as my friend Herb Melton put it, as a sign of respect and esteem for our colleagues, our community and ourselves.
Document City and Inventory by JG
In Document City, my dear friend JG shares his distinctive poetry. Check out Gravity, Juvenalia, and brooklyn. JG’s peerless voice stands out in his prose performances, in Inventory, too. I love Writing?, MIDAS / HADES, The Problem with “Purpose,” and Wild, Wild Numbers.
White Noise by Tom White
Tom writes so clearly and with such a unique perspective. Yeah, that’s a trite comment today but with Tom, it’s true.
Just Enough to Get Me Into Trouble by Lyle McKeany
With a 6-year-old daughter with severe cerebral palsy, Lyle has a singular take on fatherhood. I read Lyle to help make me a better father, and a better writer.
Taking Personal Inventory by Cams Campbell
Cams publishes his daily “Morning Pages” (from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way). In Cams, I find an elegant soul working through the hardships – and joys – of modern life.
Microcosm by Nicolás Forero
My Colombian friend Nicolás tackles issues at the heart of modern technology, traditional wisdom, and human foibles. I see the world with sparklingly open eyes by reading him.
the watering can by DJ May
DJ’s words and watercolors help me “find the joy in small things.”
EarfChild by Azalea
At the end of our lives, we will revisit our times, our hopes, our communities, our fractures. And we will wish we had more poetry in our life, and had more often sung the songs of the soil. And we will suspect it was always song and soil and poetry. All of it.
Caryn’s Substack by Caryn Tan
Sometimes we learn from doing. Sometimes we learn from being. And sometimes we learn from becoming. Join Caryn as she becomes Caryn.
Writings from Within by Anthony Pica
My Foster friend Anthony has written two of the best pieces I’ve read. Period.
Icing on the Cake by Danver Chandler
Traveler, bard, “cosmopolitan rebel,” teacher and technologist, Danver always bends my mind.
Catalectic by Alicia Kenworthy
In some future life, I will be as cool as Alicia. Well, probably not, but besides spiritual Oneness with the divine, I have that wish.
CoAuthored by Foster
The newsletter of my dear, dear Foster community. Always worth reading.
Wise on Words by Dennis Lewis
I’m convinced Dennis is a genius. His two-part examination of Werner Herzog’s film biography of Bruce Chatwin is brilliant.
Mod-a-tional by Amanda Azadian
Amanda describes her newsletter this way: “MOD-ern, aud-A-cious, tradi-TIONAL The future of health is a bridge between the intelligent systems of ancient wisdom and modern healthcare technology. I believe we get there through stories of courage, innovation, and collaboration. Join me!” As a congenital heart patient, I believe her and am glad I’ve joined her.
Sam. Writes. by Sam Houghton
Her back-and-forth letters of spiritual exploration with JG of Inventory are so lovely. As are everything she writes.
Making Note of the Moment by Ann Gauger
Scientist Ann Gauger writes more personal topics in this newsletter: faith, hurt, music, history. The further explorations of an admirable soul.
Minnow, like the fish by Minnow Park
Let me say this about Minnow. Five minutes into our portrait shoot, one day after meeting me, he took the single image that captures my essence better than any other photograph in my life. He seized and revealed back something beautiful and hard and whimsical in my soul. Thank you, Minnow, for seeing me.
Leo’s Lemonade by Leo Ariel
World-traveler and entrepreneur, Leo shares his keen insights into the people and places he sees. If he wanted to do it, he could become the James Boswell of our era.
Construction Physics by Brian Potter
Brian has done an enormous service to the world through his analysis of the construction, building and energy industries. More about their economics than physics, he puts pen to paper on hard problems faced in the real world by people trying very hard to solve those challenges.
Words for Birds by Sophie A.H. Osborn
My friend Bryan McGrath of the Conservative Wahoo turned me on to his friend Sophie Osborn’s beautiful life among the birds of the world. Beyond gorgeous.
The Works in Progress Newsletter
Brian Potter of Construction Physics contributes to The Works in Progress Newsletter, a broader examination of tough issues faced in the actual world.
Ask Aristotle by Vishal Sharma and William Jaworski
Further musings by Sharma and Jaworski, based on their book of the same name.
The Inputs Series: Previous Parts
My man, I'm absolutely honored to be featured, and especially appreciated being able to revisit these highlight posts, thank you for calling them out that way.
Kinda crazy to look back on writing from not long ago but have it feel like eons ago! Like time capsule letters from a previous "you".
Thank you Russell. I’m proud to on this list in among so many other l read and admire.