I kicked off 2021 with a few self-improvement newsletters, and now I’m back with a few ideas to challenge your thinking. You may not agree with everything that some of these writers say (I don’t!) But hear them out- they are sensible, thoughtful writers trying to make the world a better place. And I respect them for that. Most of these newsletters can be paired with a related podcast; some are available on YouTube as well.
Most of these newsletters have a free version and a paid version… I don’t support all of them, but I do support some with monthly payments. If we want smart voices out there, we have to give them some money-that’s how it works in a capitalist economy 🙂
Glenn Loury on Substack
Wow, my mind is regularly blown by Glenn Loury’s writings. He is not afraid to touch the controversial topics or guests- topics like race, affirmative action, crime, politics- but there’s no doubt that he has the intellectual chops to speak about all of them. His podcast covers conversations with the amazing John McWhorter every two weeks- those are by far my favorites. I know he must offend some people, but you know what? I’m a big girl and I can handle feeling uncomfortable and challenged. Shouldn’t we all?
On top of it, he’s had such an interesting life and survived addition. I’m looking forward to reading his biography when it comes out later this year.
Michael Shellenberger on Substack
I found Michael Shellenberger’s newsletter through The Dishcast podcast from Andrew Sullivan. His current project seems to be uncovering the disastrous “solutions” being applied to the homelessness and drug users in San Francisco. Although Dear Husband was not interested in venturing to the Civic Center during a recent trip to San Francisco, I’ve continued to read the news about the failed situation there. And Shellenberger is not afraid to get in there and expose the truth. I so admire people who are willing to ask the tough questions and experience things for themselves. Like all the other writers I’m mentioning here, he actually cares about people and their welfare. Not sure if that’s really the case for some of the people “working” on this in the city.
Shellenberger’s newsletter comes out roughly weekly and you’ll get a fair amount of his writing for free before he asks you to subscribe at substack.
Morgan Housel on Collaborative Fund
This newsletter from Morgan Housel is a recap of his blog post on the Collaborative Fund website. It’s a lot less controversial than the other two newsletters I’ve mentioned here. Housel covers money and living a good life, rather than touching on politics and other fraught topics. But this is a newsletter that will challenge your thinking- no doubt about it! I’m still thinking about, and journaling about, his post on Big Skills. And his recent newsletter on truly understanding your risk tolerance in today’s markets is highly relevant. Worth a read!
Once you’ve read a few of his newsletters, you are going to want to read his book. It’s a game changer.
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Many ways to experience the brilliance of these writers
We live in a world where a lot of these more contrarian thinkers are working together, interviewing each other. So once you stumble upon one interesting podcast interview, don’t hesitate to see if that thinker has a newsletter, or podcast, or recent book. Support these thinkers- we clearly need some new voices.
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