Substacks recommended by Karen Walrond

Recommended by Karen Walrond

MONDAYS ARE FREE

By Ross Gay

a reservoir of writing exercises by ross gay & patrick rosal

The Isolation Journals with Suleika Jaouad

A newsletter for people seeking to transform life's interruptions into creative grist

When you hear the phrase "soulful writing," it's likely the person is talking about Suleika.

- Karen Walrond

W. Kamau Bell asks, "Who's With Me?"

Come hang out with a pop-culture-obsessed, antiracist, lefty, OG Blerd who lives in Oakland, CA.

The Enthusiast by Brad Montague

A weekly reminder there are things worth celebrating.

Brad is pure, uncut joy. If you want to be reminded of the world's good, follow Brad.

- Karen Walrond

Parent of Adults

By Asha Dornfest

Let's compare notes on life beyond the empty nest. By the author of PARENT HACKS.

Asha Dornfest has been my parenting oracle for YEARS -- whenever I wonder about how to approach any parenting challenge, I ask "What Would Asha Do?" And this continues to be the case even now, as our children are now adults. Her writing is warm and wise, and just lovely.

- Karen Walrond

Jenny’s Substack - Let's art together

By Jenny Lawson (thebloggess)

Join me as I share a drawing a week to rekindle the joy of creating. Includes random musings on inspiration, motivation and how to keep pouring from your creative cup even when it feels like there's a hole in it.

Jenny is one of the funniest people I know -- and she has the New York Times bestsellers to prove it. That she's also a gifted artist is stunning (and frankly, unfair). (I say this with huge love and admiration.)

- Karen Walrond

Noted

By Jillian Hess

Tips from the world's best note takers

Dave Barry’s Substack

It's pretty random.

Dave Barry says he's been a humour writer since the dawn of time. If that's true, then I've been a fan of his writing since the dawn of time. Run, do not walk, to subscribe.

- Karen Walrond

Playing with Fire

By Shannon Watts

Playing with Fire is a community of badass women (and supporters!) who want to find and nurture the spark inside and learn to live on fire.

Shannon Watts is the real deal: if you want inspiration in changing the world -- or simply coming alive in your life! -- you need to subscribe, post haste.

- Karen Walrond

FlakPhoto Digest

By Andy Adams

A community hub for photography people

If you're a photographer, or you're just someone who loves photography, run, don't walk, to this Substack.

- Karen Walrond

Engaged Liberation

By Christopher Rivas

There are a lot of things we need to get Liberated from. You know it and I know it. Engaged Liberation is less about self-help and more about communal-health. Let's dive in, let's get free!

Chris is a wizard with words. Positively lyrical, always uplifting.

- Karen Walrond

Oldster Magazine

By Sari Botton

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

A Rebellion of Care

By David Gate

Poet & writer David Gate brings you a weekly newsletter with insight into creative resistance, poetry, politics & faith with each edition containing curated poems and (life altering) playlists.

Girls of a Certain Age

By Kim France

Style advice, shopping picks, pop culture, and opinion for over-40 women and the over-40-curious, from former Sassy staffer and Lucky Magazine founding editor in chief Kim France.

Kim France is an icon when it comes to style (remember Lucky Magazine?). Love her eye!

- Karen Walrond

Austin Kleon

Weekly art, writing, and creative inspiration from the author of Steal Like an Artist and other bestsellers.

Unraveling, with Brooke Baldwin

“Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth.” - Pema Chödrön

Marcie May

By Sincerely Yours

Sincere Love letters For the Goodfellows of This Earth Who Believe Love Might Just Save Us All.

Marcie Alvis Walker is the most lyrical writer I have ever known. Her words are pure comfort food. Dig in.

- Karen Walrond

I’m Walking Here

By Liz Gumbinner

Culture, media, politics and parenting. Oh, did someone say pick a lane? Adorable.

Liz is one of the OG bloggers, and I have been following her writing for literal decades. Sharp intellect, keen wit -- what's not to adore?

- Karen Walrond

The Fainting Couch

By Alice Bradley

I'm not here anymore! I've moved to https://buttondown.com/alicebradley.

WANT: Women Against Negative Talk

By Katie Horwitch

You talk to your self all day — make sure it's a good conversation. A weekly ritual to help you shift your self-talk and build a better relationship with who you are. Start your week with Self-Talk Sundays, and hone your habits in The Self Talk Studio.

I've known Katie for some time now -- and she's just the best hype woman you didn't realize you needed. She's the real deal.

- Karen Walrond

It's Giving Relatable

By Lucrecer

A soft, audacious lifestyle letter that explores joy, identity, and artistry through a lens of main character energy, creative ritual, and Black girl delight. Always grounded. Always giving real.

Because it *DOES* give relatable. Lu is funny, confident and smart as a whip. A great read.

- Karen Walrond

FLESH WORLD by Jessica DeFino

Reporting on the absurd world of beauty culture. / “The newsletter the beauty industry fears.” - the Herald.

When I was writing Radiant Rebellion, this was one of my favourite reads: it confirmed that what I was finding revealed by my research: ageism arises from capitalist patriarchy, especially as it relates to the beauty industry. A spot-on publication.

- Karen Walrond