Inbox Treasures: A Journey Through My Favorite Substacks
Dive into the worlds of writers who redefine storytelling, culture, and self-exploration
Hello, thank you for being here. I’m doing things a bit differently this week. Substack has become one of my favourite platforms. I wanted to highlight a few indie authors’ Substacks. Food, business, culture, and personal reflections, there’s something for everyone. Enjoy!
If you’re not a subscriber, here’s what you’ve missed:
Letters to My Daughter: Charting a Path to Financial Confidence
The Art of Being Small: Embracing Insignificance to Feel More Deeply Connected
Pursuit of a Personal Mantra and Meaning: My Post-Tech Career Quest for Authenticity
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It was quiet in an echoey way. I was home by myself on the 13th floor of my downtown condo on a weeknight. The sirens from the fire station across the street were still. I could almost hear my breath reverberating off the cold stone floors littered with moving boxes and paper. Not wanting to deal with breaking my packing rhythm fast forwarding through songs I didn’t like on my favourite playlists, I unlocked my phone to listen to a podcast. Then paused. On my homescreen, was the now familiar orange square with a white bookmark icon.
Substack!
I had momentarily forgotten discovering a wondrous new source of reading and how as much as I enjoy reading, I love hearing my favourite indie writers read their work.
This is Substack. What you’re reading right now is my Substack.
Like Amazon’s long tail, there is a Substack on any and every interest. Since my writing course, ‘Write of Passage,’ I’ve gotten deep into human observation stories – the unique way people see the world.
Here are some of my favourite Substacks and authors in no particular order. Their stories and insights have caused me to take action — like taking a barre class and reading classics, think more deeply, and one in particular resonated so deeply I chose to support it financially, despite free access.
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS & SOCIAL COMMENTARY
Substack:
Not many experiment with living the way Chris Wong does. He is one of those deep thinkers who rarely speaks but when he does, everyone scrambles to take notes. Reading his work causes me to not only get curious but follow my curiosity. It’s because of his series on developing taste that I started reading the classics to develop my reading palate in order to become a better writer.
“Taste is personal. Taste is unique.
The adage about needing to learn the rules before you break them is about developing taste.
You can develop your taste by consuming. If you read a ton of books, you’ll figure out what you think good writing is. And you can express your taste by creating.
If you have infinite time and good taste, you’ll create something good. You’ll just keep going until it’s good.” - Taste
Substack:
I can only aspire to write as evocatively as Elle Griffin. I can’t recall the last time, if ever, I read a story as gripping as hers. Normally a skimmer, I read every single word of her harrowing experience.
“From the time I was fifteen until the time I was twenty, I had a stalker. I’m now thirty-three years old and this is the first time I’ve ever written about the experience…” - A man once tried to kill me, here’s my story
Most of her writing is about her astute observations of the world — The rich are not causing the poor. In this essay, she gave me the words to articulate an idea I didn’t know resonated until I read it.
Substack:
I cannot aspire to write like CasaFis Foote in any way shape or form. I can only hope to express myself as authentically and wholly as he. Irreverent, hilarious, you never know what you’re going to get, but you can be sure to learn something whether it’s a new perspective, a better way to human, or a kinder way to be in the world. There’s only one CasaFis Foote.
“Years ago the rich kids started to make this place [the Bay area] intolerable, so it’s no surprise they can’t tolerate it anymore. You can’t microdose hope or care. It’s better to bitch and be a bitch then to help and be the help. They are worried no one will serve them soup anymore. They need a shoe subscription to keep their sneakers clean. They need options made of stock, and stock made of animal bone and marrow. They want new software for their hardware and to live out reality in an unreal engine.
“I want a good deli sandwich down Webster in Alameda." - …songs of doom & songs of doom…: ...tales from the front lines of the bay area doom loop...
Substack:
Thought provoking. Diana Demco has a way of questioning the world that’s refreshing. She challenges tropes and makes going against the grain a smoother journey.
“But perhaps the problem isn’t that we’re too attached to material things, it’s that we’re not attached enough.” - In Defence of Getting Attached to Material Things
Substack:
Creative, observant, fun to read, real as fuck, Becky Isjwara allows us to connect with her through her authenticity
From ‘Maybe men aren’t trash?’
“So when men are indecisive about dating my friends, or fail to call, or are being sexist, I just brush them off. I say “men are trash”, automatically diminishing half the human species into an invisible corner. I pay more attention to women’s issues, I tell myself, because we are the marginalized group in society.
But when my brother reached out, I realized I don’t know much about his life at all. I never really asked about what stopped him from finding a job. I learned recently that laziness doesn’t exist. Does that mean that something bigger is going on?”
WRITING CRAFT & STORYTELLING
Substack:
Harrison Moore is a name I’ll one day say, “I knew him back when…” He writes about “escaping unfulfilling work, disempowering habits, worn out ways of thinking, and generally anything that curtails freedom and growth.”
I also enjoy reading or hearing about his writing journey in his lovely northern England accent even or especially in his rants… - What You Hate Will Show You the Way
Substack:
One of the best writing tips I received was from Charlie Bleecker who has written over 200 issues of her Substack. I’ve shared this tip with at least a dozen people. Oftentimes we start with context and give too much of it. Readers drop off by the second paragraph. Her advice? Start at the point just before the bear is going to attack.
“Just get the ball over the net.” - Transparent Tuesdays
Substack:
You’ll be hard pressed to find someone more thoughtful than Rick Lewis. He’s often found in the comments of other Substacks, connecting, building community, and making people feel seen. His Substack is full of inspiration to help people confidently share their authentic story.
Here’s one of his heartfelt stories The Father Who Told Me This Story Changed My Life and His in the Same Moment
I appreciate you reading my newsletter. If you’d like to support me further, consider buying me a coffee - Yours truly, Miche
CULTURE
Substack:
Honest. There are many words to describe Perzen Patel’s writing, hilarious, vivid, warm, insightful, delicious, but underneath it all is a level of honesty that’s as pure and comforting as a hug from an aunty wielding a wooden spoon dripping with curry masala. If you have any interest in India or food, this newsletter is for you.
“Because Chai latte is to Chai what the radioactive orange butter chicken served at takeaways is to Delhi’s Murgh Makhani (the OG name for butter chicken). A weak, diluted counterpart…” No David*, Chai Latte is not Chai
Substack:
Steven Foster, such a joy you feel like you could put him in your pocket and take him home with you. Which I did. Well, not exactly. On a whim he ended up eating Japanese curry with my brother, sister-in-law, and I at my brother’s house.
A skillful writer, each of his sentences are tight, skillfully wrapped in evocative words. Here’s an excerpt from an essay on the parallels between work and religion:
“The careers of this world are concubines. Vocation isn’t worth our devotion. It took a career ending move for me to see mission, commitment, and passion are not for job descriptions. These are words of the worthy and when you are ready, a new beginning…” - Commit a Career Ending Move
BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP
Substack:
Tim Sweetman lives up to his name. He has an ability to convey complex ideas with clarity and emotional resonance. Writing about the tension between entrepreneurship and being a present, mindful family man, he combines real-life experiences with philosophical insights that leaves you feeling like it’s possible to fulfill your ambitions without losing sight of what truly matters.
“Every day doesn’t have to be a mad march towards fading greatness or passing glory. Sometimes we need to not go to war, even though we are gifted at battle...” - You Are Here
In addition to writing, Tim has a captivating podcast. If entrepreneurship stories feel monotonous, solely focused on wins that can only be told in hindsight, Tension will take you behind the scenes with leaders to dive deep into what it takes to lead well.
I had the privilege of being interviewed. Check us out - Burnout vs Balance
Substack:
While many try solopreneurship and “fail” fading into the background, Alexandra Allen boldly and unapologetically shared her story of going back to the 9 to 5. By doing this she gave others permission to openly admit they were struggling too.
She eloquently writes on professional development, online teaching, and well-being.
On her transition back to full-time employment – The Pain of Looking Back & The Power of Moving Forward
On leadership – What Bridesmaids and Nelson Mandela Have in Common
WELLNESS
Substack:
I first heard about somatic coaching from Meryl Rowlands. After my experience with 10 days of silent meditation, I firmly believe in the mind-body connection. Meryl, a former lawyer who emerged from a sabbatical a somatic coach, has been integrating AI art into her practice… Impactful Integration: AI Generated Visual Metaphors for Sustainable Change in Coaching
Substack:
Jack Dixon wants to make his mark by inspiring people to move. I enjoy reading his insights and thoughtful prose. This post got me to do a trial of barre at the studio across the street.
“We tapped into the unique human ability to thrive in groups which fueled us with a sense of unity and togetherness that was ungraspable when I worked out alone.
It became obvious through this experience that my spirit ached as a result of purely solo exercise.
An empty space in my heart was filled by sharing the suffering with my brother.” — The Physical Art of Not Being Lonely
ARTISTIC EXPLORATION
Newsletter: Engineering Freedom
Justine’s journey has been a joy to follow. She left her high paying job as a software developer at Amazon to chart a different path. When I first met her she was ambivalent, exploring ideas to build an app but at a loss. In the 2 years since, I’ve watched her evolve into a joyful creative writer, illustrator, and life adventurer.
She gives you a behind the scenes look at what it’s actually like to find purpose and meaning in life. Here’s an example… Why do we end up so far away from our dreams?
Substack:
Anfaal shows an incredible depth of introspection and artistry in her writing. In a session with her during ‘Write of Passage,’ I was blown away by her questions and insights. She had a way of seeing the world that at more than twice her age I hadn’t noticed. I mean, how does someone at 18 write something like this:
“Dear pretentious healer on the internet,
The idea of healing has never settled with me. I have always found peace in the paradox of pain. Forever I've tried suppressing my suffering by comparing it to that of others.
But the truth is, dried daisies do not add beauty to the bouquet.” – my room would scare me
This was a hauntingly poetic essay. I felt a whisper to upgrade to paid and so I did.
What are your favourite Substacks?
What a list... So many fantastic writers in here! Thanks so much for sharing my work :)
Someday someone will point to this list as an example of your presciently good taste. These are some great writers.