Substacks recommended by Robert Leonard | Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture

Recommended by Robert Leonard

Robert Reich

Daily newsletter exposing where power lies — and how it's used and abused

American Doom

By Justin Glawe

News, investigations and chronicles from the frontlines of America's wars against itself.

Miss Effie's Diary

By Cathy Linker Lafrenz

Picking flowers and picking myself up ... life as a widow

Peter Hedges

The Golden Hour by Karen Attiah

On writing, fighting, and beauty in dark times.

Christina’s Substack

By The Latest

I explore cool people and happenings in the Midwest, being first-born and first-gen, widowhood, grief & healing, and other topiocs that make my fingers itch to write.

Iowa Public Policy Dude

By Chuck Isenhart

The only government worthy of support is the government that works for everyone. Focus on what matters. Git 'er done.

Dispatches from Oz

By Marcel Harmon of Dispatches

buildings, behavior, evolution, education, culture, politics, plus…

Important topics well examined. Great writing.

- Robert Leonard

The Seven Times produced by Nik Heftman

We produce inspiring stories about Black entrepreneurs. We also write pieces on art, travel, and our experiences as a mission-driven film production company. Paid subscribers receive courses on storytelling, entrepreneurship and creativity.

The Jim Acosta Show

By Jim Acosta

Don't give in to the lies. Hold on to the truth!

Chad Elliott

Barnstorming Brain

By Tim Grover

My mind wanders far and wide. History, genealogy, current events, nature, and sports...and whatever "godservations" may come my way. Author of the book "Barnstorming Babe--A Slugger's Bumpy Trek Across Small-Town America."

'Because we are all in this together'.

By Ralph Rosenberg

“Power concedes nothing without a demand,” Frederick Douglass said in 1857. “It never did and it never will.”

Astute and honest political analyst.

- Robert Leonard

The Iowa Mercury

By Douglas Burns

Fourth-generation Iowa journalist dives deep with unpredictable, well-reported writing on rural America's people, politics and culture.

Nuts and Bolts

By curbow314@gmail.com

A hardwareman's daughter writes about politics, popular culture, and plenty more

Liberating Motherhood

By Zawn Villines

For mothers who are pissed off about sexism, household chore inequality, and endless misogynistic bullshit, and for the allies who want a better world for all of us.

J. Dudley's World

By J. Dudley Gilbert

J. Dudley Gilbert is a Golden Doodle, born July 26, 2023.

Barry Piatt on Politics: - Behind the Curtains

Consistently ahead of the curve political commentary and analysis

I love his fascinating historical and insider perspective!

- Robert Leonard

Kyle Munson's Main Street

Stories from along the thoroughfare and down the side streets, too

The Swine Republic

By Chris Jones

Writing about confluence of agriculture and environment from the heart of the big ag beast here in Iowa

Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance

By Joyce Vance

Worried about the state of the republic? Get the legal knowledge & analysis you need to be an advocate for democracy, along with a dose of savvy optimism.

The Contrarian

Unflinching journalism in defense of democracy

Corn Belt Confidential

By Nina B. Elkadi

The history and science behind agriculture, water, and our food systems.

24-hour Dorman - Todd Dorman

Todd Dorman shines a bright, shining light on the darkness of Republican rule in Iowa and beyond. Buckle up and read.

- Robert Leonard

well, actually

By Jacqui Shine // Well

cultural criticism, historical deep dives, & flights of pop culture fancy—with footnotes

Too Close To Call

By David Catanese

Mostly politics. With a side of personal. Always #profound, pushing boundaries and perhaps problematic.

Chip Happens

By Chip Albright

A catalog of stories and songs following the musical endeavors of Midwestern singer-songwriter, Chip Albright.

Stray Thoughts

By Randy Evans

Thoughts on government transparency, politics and civic affairs written weekly -- and sometimes, weakly -- by a longtime advocate for government transparency.

The Moral High Ground

By Evan Hurst

We are living through a world-historical temper tantrum from white conservative Christians over their loss of control, relevance, and supremacy. This weekly newsletter looks at current events through that lens and usually mocks it mercilessly.

On Repeat Records

By Kevin

Ditch the algorithm. Music discovery made easy—curated by someone who remembers when a mixtape could change your life.

Pepperspectives

By David Pepper

Saving Democracy: A User’s Guide

Be a Better Traveler

By Rebecca

Be a better informed, better fed, all-around better traveler around the world and at home.

Julie Gammack and Guests

If Iowa had a group chat, this would be it. Hosted by Julie Gammack, this Substack blends independent journalism, lively opinion, and unexpected voices from across the state. Think potluck, but with more insight and fewer Crock-Pots.

The Fucking News

By The F Team

"I recommend signing up for these guys, if you like getting your morning news with swearing." - Naomi Klein

Letters from an American

By Heather Cox Richardson

A newsletter about the history behind today's politics.

Shifting Gears with Phoebe Wall Howard

Original news reporting, analysis and features by award-winning journalist Phoebe Wall Howard. Topics range from auto industry and politics to sailing and spotlight profiles with a Detroit perspective.

New Means

By JP

Writing that zooms out. New Means discusses politics in the broadest possible ways, from our neighborhoods to our workplaces to our religious lives to organizing to the ways we collectively think.

Reporting from Quiltropolis

By Marianne Fons

Marianne Fons writes from the small town of Winterset, Iowa, reporting on quilty and non-quilty topics.

Substack Writers at Work with Sarah Fay

Where real Substack growth happens—with leading Substack Strategist Sarah Fay and the Substack DNA Growth Framework™️

Mary Tabor "Only connect ..."

By <Mary L. Tabor>

The arts, books, movies, a course: Write it!, The Writing Life, (Re)Making Love: a memoir (fully up now), Who by Fire: a novel, Cooking With Mary, Watercolors and story in Letters to My Granddaughter.

Excellent, thought provoking writing.

- Robert Leonard

The Racontourist

By Jason Walsmith

Hey there! I am Jason Walsmith - I am a traveling musician, photographer and storyteller. I write about music, travel, people, places and things.

Jason is a great musician and an outstanding writer. Always takes me somewhere new.

- Robert Leonard

Beto’s Substack

By Beto O'Rourke

writing from the desert southwest

Corn Belt Newsletter

By Joshua Manske

Welcome to the Corn Belt Newsletter where we focus on the events and indicators that affect the land market and agriculture.

Paul Krugman

Notes on economics and more

Grandma's Recipe Box

By Connie Taylor

A place to share treasured family recipes and the stories behind them.

American Bardic Poet

By Emily Lupita

Joseph S. Plum is a poet in the bardic tradition. He lives off-grid in rural Iowa and composes his unique chant-like oral poetry for fascinated audiences around the world. Spiritual / Mystic / Star Knowledge / New Age

Joe Plum is an amazing person and poet. I am very happy that he and his talented daughter Emily Lupita have teamed up to share his work. Please check it out.

- Robert Leonard

Growing New Leaders: Perspectives from Coyote Run Farm

By Matt Russell

A newsletter advancing a hopeful future from and through rural America.

Matt Russell just served as Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency in Iowa for three years. We’ve written columns together for the New York Times, TIME, FERN, the Des Moines Register, and more. I look forward to reading more from him and to our future collaborations. You won’t regret subscribing to “Growing New Leaders: Perspectives from Coyote Run Farm.”

- Robert Leonard

With Uncertainty

By Macey Shofroth

Essays in defiance of certainty.

Iowa Down Ballot

By Iowa Writers Collaborative

Dave Price is joined by professional political analysts discussing Iowa politics through refreshing, in-depth conversations with Iowa Writers' Collaborative members.

A great panel I'm honored to be a part of.

- Robert Leonard

Sherman Alexie

poems, short fiction, essays, opinion, audio, video