Six Substack Posts That Made Me Feel *Slightly* Less Insane This Week

Knowledge is power, but doom-scrolling is not. Send your recommendations my way, please!

The news is overwhelming right now, by design.

We faced an onslaught of headlines ranging from utterly ridiculous to honestly scary, and I don’t blame anyone who checks out once in a while. But here's the thing – we need to stay informed without losing our minds. Here are some publications helping me navigate this chaos; I think you might find value in them too.

For the History Buffs Who Want to Understand Autocracy

Ruth Ben-Ghiat's "Lucid" newsletter is a masterclass in understanding authoritarian playbooks. As a historian specializing in fascism, she's basically one of the main people you want explaining what's happening right now. Her latest piece about how autocrats use trauma as a tool? It's not just informative – it's grounding. When everything feels like it's spinning out of control, her expertise helps put things in perspective.

For the Economic Reality Check

Robert Reich's breakdown of Trump's first week cuts through the noise and gets to the heart of what's actually happening: a calculated move to replace democracy with oligarchy. Reich isn't just throwing around buzzwords – he's showing us how the wealthy are using cultural divisions to distract us while they consolidate power. It's infuriating, but necessary to understand. I’ve been watching Robert Reich in Frontline documentaries for years, and it’s a blessing to have found his Substack.

For the Revolutionary Spirit

Grace Fells' "Ascent Into Revolutionary Madness" might sound intense (okay, it definitely is), but her perspective on valuing human life beyond productivity metrics is exactly what we need right now. Her writing challenges you to think bigger, to see beyond individual struggles to the larger systemic issues we're facing. I found her on TikTok years ago, and her wisdom is so far beyond her years and the giving of herself to the cause is selfless; I hope her voice gets louder and louder.

For Sharp Analysis of Race and Power

Dr. Jenn M. Jackson's note earlier this week cut through the BS around DEI rollbacks with surgical precision. Her ability to connect historical discrimination to current events isn't just academic – it's essential for understanding how we got here and where we're heading. White supremacy (along with misogyny) are going to be louder and prouder than ever before, but voices like Dr. Jackson’s remind us that white supremacy has always been here, rather blatantly.

For the Conservative Perspective We Actually Need

The Bulwark's "How to Stop Trump in One Stupid Chart" is a refreshing voice from the right that isn't drinking the Kool-Aid. In a time when finding honest conservative voices feels like searching for unicorns, their clear-eyed analysis of the situation is invaluable. I happened upon a free paid membership as a random-act-of-kindness from a stranger on Bluesky earlier this week, and I’ve gotta tell ya, their perspective has been refreshing and gives me hope that the country is more united than we realize.

For Practical Survival Strategies

Independent Thought's piece on navigating Trump's second presidency isn't just another doom-scroll inducer. It's a practical guide for staying informed without getting overwhelmed – something we desperately need right now.

Independent Thought actually found my Substack first and welcomed me to check out their page. It felt downright serendipitous to have found this post first; it’s what convinced me to make a revolutionary music playlist… and do my damn laundry and meal-prep for the week. The pursuit of happiness is not meant to be paused, even now.

Bottom line:

we're living through historic times, and we need trusted voices to help us make sense of it all. Find those voices who help you retain some sanity, and then spread those voices as much as you can.

Knowledge is power, but doom-scrolling is not. Choose your information sources wisely, and don't forget to take care of yourself while staying informed. Send your recommendations my way, please!

Update: This post needed an update to fix the post photo.