Substacks recommended by Sunni (Sun) Brown

Recommended by Sunni (Sun) Brown

Blue Sky Common Sense with T Bob Thurman

By Robert Thurman

Blissful Practicality to Save the World

The Isolation Journals with Suleika Jaouad

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

Ladyparts

By Deborah Copaken

The unvarnished, naked truth about living, working, loving, moving, and surviving in a woman’s body. Winner of the 2025 Webby Award for Best Independent Publisher.

New and unpublished drawings and thoughts for people who want to see more of life, from a New Yorker cartoonist. Drawings, cartoons, words, live drawing, process, politics, culture, more...

Make Me Good Soil

By Sophie Strand

Ecology, Storytelling, Myth, and Science

DrawTogether with WendyMac

By Wendy MacNaughton

Drawing explorations, lessons, and weekly art assignments from New York Times-bestselling artist Wendy MacNaughton. Paying subscribers get full access to the DrawTogether Grown-Ups Table creative community and drawing assignments.

The Good in Us by Mary L. Trump

By Mary L Trump

In which we come together to save American democracy, or at least have fun while trying.

Things That Don't Suck

By Andrea Gibson + Megan Falley

One poet's quest to uncover what shifts when we shift our attention

The Pink Report

By Daniel Pink

Bestselling author Daniel Pink offers the big ideas and practical advice to help you work smarter and live better.

The Talking Bone: Writing with Rene Denfeld

Rene Denfeld is the award-winning author of four novels, including the USA Today bestseller The Child Finder. Her novels are inspired by her real life justice work. Her Substack is your guide to writing—and selling—your book.

There are archetypes in various spiritual & psychological traditions involving figures like "the Bodhisattva." This archetype points to a being who has chosen to live a life of eyes-open, heart-open, hands-on service. It's considered a great fortune to run across Bodhisattvas in our lifetimes, greater fortune if we choose to become one. I recommend Live Man Walking by Rene Denfeld with the highest wave & the deepest bow. Her writing is exquisite and her life an offering. READ ALL OF HER BOOKS.

- Sunni (Sun) Brown

The Poetry of Reality with Richard Dawkins

The Poetry of Reality Page is hosted by world renowned evolutionary biologist and best-selling author, Professor Richard Dawkins, celebrated by intellectuals and scientists everywhere for his honest critique of religion and his push for critical thinking.

TRANSFORM with Marianne Williamson

Transform yourself, transform the world.

Look Behind You!

By Dan Carlin's Substack

Dispatches to the "Hard Corps" from Dan Carlin. Respice Post Te.

Flint’s Newsletter

By Flint Sparks

Community

REASONS FOR LIVING with Esmé Weijun Wang

Step into a sanctuary curated by Esmé, featuring guest contributors like R.F. Kuang & Jenny Odell. Each edition presents essays & prompts exploring the beauty/complexity of being alive. Unlock 2 monthly essays & bonus resources with a paid subscription.

The Garden of Forking Paths

By Brian Klaas

Wandering around an infinitely complex, ever-changing world.

Poetic Outlaws

A place for the outlaws of poetry and the written word.

Changing The Channel with Kirsten Powers

New York Times bestselling author Kirsten Powers offers fresh thinking about how we can make big changes in our lives, communities and country.

Zen Peacemakers

Our mission is to realize our oneness and relieve suffering through contemplative social action, based on our Three Tenets: Not-knowing, Bearing Witness, and Loving Actions.

Letters from an American

By Heather Cox Richardson

A newsletter about the history behind today's politics.

The New Republic

Ideas. Influence. Impact. TNR is a leader in the continuing fight for American democracy and a must-read if you want to know the ideas impacting politics and culture today.

Meidas+

By MeidasTouch Network

The premium hub for MeidasTouch, the fastest growing pro-democracy news network. Bonus articles, exclusive content, and interactive chats. Led by Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas, with exclusive articles by Ron Filipkowski.

Beyond with Jane Ratcliffe

The internet’s most intimate, illuminating interviews with today’s greatest writers—get an in-depth look into the craft of writing and what it means to be a heart-centered human in a hard world.

Cheryl Strayed's Dear Sugar

Welcome to Cheryl Strayed's newsletter. Everything is free right now. The paid "Dear Sugar" newsletter is currently on hiatus.

Let's Talk About Writing

By Suzy Vitello

Writing tips from a book coach: words, witchery, and occasional bouts of wisdom.

The Honest Broker

By Ted Gioia

A trustworthy guide to music, books, arts, media & culture by Ted Gioia

A Gathering of Spirits

By Carrie Newcomer

Carrie Newcomer's music, poetry and commentary on art, spirit and life.

Proof

By Seth Abramson

Know Better.

Your Artist Knows the Way

By Cynthia Morris

A program for writers and artists ready to thrive creatively.

Cynthia Morris is a font of creativity, artistry, and applied imagination. I know few people as prolific and skillful as she is, and with so many facets to her. I've been inspired by her for years and was delighted to see her on Substack. If you're longing to plug into a warm community filled with real know-how so you can nourish those deeper longings to create, you'll be welcomed and enlivened here.

- Sunni (Sun) Brown

Sinister Malefactor of Panglossian Expectations

By Jane Friedman

Where Jane gets personal about her career choices and the challenges of being an advice giver in the writing and publishing community.

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

By The Shit About Writing Team

A twice weekly newsletter chock-full of guidance and support from publishing industry insiders. Expect author interviews, guest blogs, giveaways, and more!

The Dworkin Report

By Scott Dworkin

Insight into national politics and elections from a seasoned and fearless independent journalist, delivered to your inbox daily so you can stay inspired and informed—while you push back on Trump and corporate media.

Things Worth Knowing with Farrah Storr

By Farrah @Substack

A smart new corner of the internet to talk fashion, feelings and creativity with the former editor-in-chief of ELLE & Cosmopolitan. Plus join my invite-only community. We're nice...I promise.

How to Survive the Broligarchy

By Carole Cadwalladr

Girl power vs Tech bros

Kareem Takes on the News

By Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shares thoughts about sports, politics, and popular culture and how they define America.

Death & Birds

By Chloe Hope

They're both coming for you! (Just kidding, birds aren't coming for you)

Noted

By Jillian Hess

Tips from the world's best note takers

Authentic Business for Soulpreneurs

By George Kao

Authentic marketing, joyful productivity, and healthy money for solopreneurs.

Making it Massive

By Justin Foster & Virginia Lacayo

Massive is what happens when Dr. Virginia Lacayo’s systems mastery meets Justin Foster’s brand alchemy—challenging power, leveraging complexity, and turning bold ideas into systemic liberation.

I subscribed to Virginia and Justin's publication because they seem to be utterly un-full of shit. A BREATH OF FRESH AIR in the all-too-vapid "influencer" and coaching space.

- Sunni (Sun) Brown

STORY LAB by Shawn Coyne

From the founder of The Story Grid, a science-based narrative exploration of the universal structure, function, and organization of transformational Storytelling. New entries published every Wednesday starting January 4th.

Words of the World

By Gulsun Uluer

Intriguing words from languages around the world, along with brain-nudging thoughts about what these words evoke. Additional read or watch recommendations. Every Friday.

There are few things more wonderful than finding a word in another language which expresses precisely an experience you know in your bones but have no word for. This publication is not only delightful. It's medicinal.

- Sunni (Sun) Brown

A Monk in the World

By Bill Epperly

Bill Epperly is a pragmatic mystic, home cook, and nature lover. He helps others find healing and embodied awakening, and to develop a mindful, joyful life of service.