Writers Who Disrupt My Thinking—and Why You Should Read Them
They upend my assumptions, challenge my intellect, and refuse to let me think comfortably
➡ This Week’s Takeaway: I share my favorite Substack publications
These are the writers I look forward to reading
—>In no particular order…
In the deluge of information and data that is the Internet, these writers enrich my understanding, which is why I return to their work.
Sometimes, I think I have a grasp on my worldview, the mental state of humans, or humanity in general. Then I read
by . And this is why I look forward to What Then? with anticipation—to be challenged and subsequently elevated to a greater understanding of myself and the world.I’m relatively new to Stoic wisdom but I have learned a lot from Sam’s posts. I’m also being educated by
in . What I like most about his newsletter is how he bridges the cognitive and intellectual with the physical. Finding the motivation to work out can be challenging; rooting the reason to work out in the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius is a next-level motivator.Connecting the physical with the philosophical is a theme I also observe in the excellent work of
. combines Erik’s explorations of nature (in both written word and photography) with poignant reflections. It’s another example of linking life's physical and mental components, and I value this approach. What’s in our heads and outside of them are undoubtedly interrelated and, I would argue, interdependent.
Galvanizing this mind-body connection through words and food is
. His eloquent prose is not only a joy to read but is full of information that inspires me to appreciate my role as a father and be a more inventive chef. After reading Lou’s newsletter, you’ll not only want to cook one of his recipes but also reform our food system, likely by going out and shooting a deer or turkey.The hunting stories and intel shared by
in have taught me about hunting in the southern US. Often blending history and personal experience, I look forward to her newsletter because I know it will be well-written and professional. Finding informed voices in the hunting-writing media space is becoming harder, so I value Take it Outside.Another outdoor-themed newsletter I read is written by
. Her running and skiing-focused newsletter, , shares details of her adventures, primarily in western New York, but often further, such as a ski race this past winter in Austria. I’ve learned about new trail systems, training strategies, and paddling, all thanks to Jenn.
Talk about learning…
’s offers nature-centered reflection and insight I aspire to as a writer. Undertaking a community-based reading of Wendell Berry’s The Need to be Whole, Stacy, along with four other authors, is offering weekly essays about each chapter of this book.Reading
’s is also a contemplative experience. His writing promotes deep thought and introspection about topics dear to me: fishing and hunting. It’s not uncommon that I read a poem of his and then find myself thinking about a specific line two hours later while strolling down an old logging road.
Similarly,
’s essays are powerfully written pieces that leave a mark. I think about them for a long time after I read them. ’s essays mix powerful narrative with distilled history and storytelling. Broadly speaking, the backdrop for this work is nature, but also, life.shares his expertise in
where I am continually informed about why people do what they do. These explanations frequently provide a framework for understanding and encourage readers to face some of the uncomfortable habits of human nature. For instance, Baird introduced me to the PDCA framework, which I consistently use to break through project-based roadblocks.- Thanks for checking these newsletters out and see my note below about Substack’s Recommendations feature.
- Jesse
Note About “Recommendations”: Substack has a “Recommendations” feature that acts as a networking tool.
There are many publications I’d like to “Recommend,” but doing so using the Substack tool dillutes the current recommendations.
Because of this, I’m trying something new: I’m limiting official Recomendations listed on my Substack page to five. I will refresh them on a monthly basis, often with completly new recommended publications.
I’d like my Recommendations to not not simply become “noise,” that get’s clicked through or ignored. This is my attempt to avoid that situation.
Thank you for your kind and generous mention of my writing Jesse, and for including me with such fine thinkers/essayists, many of whom (including you) I follow with happy anticipation of their next posting. The through-line I see in what many of us are writing about is the mis-fit between our evolved nature and the post-industrial tech world we've created and are required to live in. This conflict is the source of much suffering, and we're all trying to figure out how best to deal with all that and live a "good life". It's a worthy venture and I'm grateful for the insights we're all sharing. Onward! 🌱
Jesse, you've included me with some outstanding people here. It is a true honor, and I can only aspire to be worthy of having my name on this list. Thank you!