Substacks recommended by Christopher Pepper

Recommended by Christopher Pepper

Joanna Schroeder, co-author of Talk To Your Boys & feminist media critic, tries to see the bigger picture on parenting, relationships & family equity while raising teen boys & a toddler girl.

Joanna Schroeder's reflections on parenting, culture, and adulthood are smart, thoughtful and always worth reading.

- Christopher Pepper

Your Local Epidemiologist

By Katelyn Jetelina

Providing a direct line of "translated" public health science to you, so you can take action for your community's health

Extremely useful data and accessible public health information to help you understand what to worry about and where you can relax.

- Christopher Pepper

MADE WITH CARE

By Elissa Strauss

A newsletter and community for people who dream of a world in which parenting and caregiving isn’t only valued and supported, but treated with the curiosity and fascination it deserves.

Kids and Tech in the AI Era

By Jim Steyer and Bruce Reed

The Vajenda

By Dr. Jen Gunter

Imagine a Venn diagram with overlapping circles labeled: Medical Facts, Feminism, and Fire. You've arrived at their intersection.

Great information about sexual health, menstruation, birth control, and more.

- Christopher Pepper

Teen Talk Tuesday

By Dr. Megan Maas

Most Tuesdays, I write about what I'm learning while I research adolescent development and socialization. I do this to empower adults to talk to teens about relationships, sex, and mental health in a way that engages them.

Resources by Ana Willis

Providing resources for the anxieties of parenting

Building Boys Bulletin

By Jennifer L.W. Fink

Because raising boys shouldn’t feel this hard. Practical support for moms parenting sons in a world that misunderstands boys.

Get practical tips for raising boys well, and keep up the with the latest news and research about all the issues affecting boys today.

- Christopher Pepper

I Love What You're Doing

By Kate Schatz

“It is not often that someone comes along who's a true friend and a good writer. [Kate Schatz aspires to be] both.” NYT-bestselling author of RAD WOMEN books, DO THE WORK, WHERE THE GIRLS WERE, etc. Educator, editor, coach, mom, gay feminist forever

The Maternal Stress Project

By Molly Dickens

Exploring the stress load of modern American motherhood… and how we fix it together.

Of Boys and Men

By Richard V Reeves

rising to the challenges faced by the modern male

I Blame Society

By Ruth Whippman

Modern life and the forces that shape it. Gender, feminism, masculinity, mental health, psychology, culture, motherhood, anxiety, fear, self-loathing... that kind of thing.

Smart observations on life, gender, and parenting from the author of BOYMOM

- Christopher Pepper

Body Talk

By Dr. Charlotte Markey

The latest body image science and relevant cultural commentary.

Charlotte Markey is a real expert on body image issues, especially as they relate to young people. Her newsletter is always full of wisdom and care.

- Christopher Pepper

W. Kamau Bell asks, "Who's With Me?"

Come hang out with a pop-culture-obsessed, antiracist, lefty, OG Blerd who lives in Oakland, CA.

W. Kamau Bell is both curious and hilarious, and is a beloved figure in the East Bay where I live. I'm thrilled we get to read him here every week!

- Christopher Pepper

The Noösphere

By Katie Jagielnicka

Weekly musings on humans and the big rock we live on through a social sciences lens.

Fascinating takes on gender, with an eye for equality

- Christopher Pepper

Raising Her Voice

By Jo-Ann Finkelstein

Smart, story-rich writing by a psychologist on raising strong girls and navigating womanhood in a sexist world

Smart writing about parenting, gender roles, and the culture at large.

- Christopher Pepper

Erin In The Morning

By Erin Reed

News and discussion on trans legislation and life.

Evil Witches Newsletter

By Claire Zulkey

We are people who happen to be mothers.

American Inequality

By Jeremy Ney

Data and maps on U.S. inequality, covering housing, healthcare, poverty, education, tech, and more.

Now What

By Melinda Wenner Moyer

A newsletter that brings science and nuance to parenting advice and challenges fear-mongering, shame-inducing content.

I LOVE the book "How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes," and Melinda Wenner Moyer's newsletter keeps the advice and support coming.

- Christopher Pepper

The Golden Hour: climate, children, mental health

By Anya Kamenetz

The Golden Hour is a newsletter about thriving and caring for others on a rapidly-changing planet.

Anya Kamenetz is a deeply caring, deeply reflective writer who is always worth reading.

- Christopher Pepper

Spread the Light with Dr. Devika B.

By Dr. Devika Bhushan

Pediatrician and former Acting Surgeon General of California offering evidence-based tools for parenting, health and resilience, informed by the latest science and lived expertise.

You can count on Dr. Devika Bhushan to provide factual information with a deeply human perspective.

- Christopher Pepper

Matriarchal Blessing

By Celeste Davis

Catharsis for your feminist awakening.

The Bittman Project

By Mark Bittman

Lots of food publications embrace the pleasurable and entertaining parts of food and ignore everything else; others focus on the serious issues and ignore the joy. The Bittman Project does both. (Plus, plenty of recipes.)

If you love to cook, eat, or think deeply about food, Mark Bittman's work is essential.

- Christopher Pepper

Wild Feelings

By Megan Saxelby

Tools, stories, and science to help you navigate adolescence with more clarity, less panic, and way more joy.

Sex and the State

By Cathy Reisenwitz

I’m letting you read my soul’s dialogue with itself

Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith

Your body liberation community. And good snacks.

I so appreciate Virginia Sole-Smith intelligence and curiosity, and her dedication to reducing shame and fighting diet culture.

- Christopher Pepper

The Nutrition Tea Substack

By Shana Minei Spence

Welcome to The Nutrition Tea! This is where I plan to write more in depth and drawn out essays regarding food and nutrition. As per usual, this will always be a food neutral, weight inclusive, with an intersection of social justice, page.

Registered dietitian Shana Minei Spence is on a mission to help people reject diet culture, achieve a healthy relationship with food, and nourish their bodies and souls.

- Christopher Pepper

Design Mom

By Gabrielle Blair

A newsletter where we can be curious about everything.

Gabrielle Blair is the author of the brilliant book "Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to Think About Abortion," and her wide-ranging Substack is full of rewarding gems about ideas big and small.

- Christopher Pepper

Substack Writers at Work with Sarah Fay

Your behind-the-scenes view into what works and what’s really happening on Substack—with the leading Substack Growth Strategist, Sarah Fay

Sexual Health Wealth

By Emily L. Depasse

Join Emily L. Depasse, MSW, MEd, for insights, tips, and updates on STIs, dating, relationships, and self-care. Subscribe now for open, honest conversations to improve your sexual health and wellness.

Emily is a leading voice for high quality, shame-free sexuality education, and her newsletter is packed with useful information and smart opinions.

- Christopher Pepper

Body Type

By Mikala Jamison

The newsletter for people who think about their bodies a lot, but in a smart way.

Open Secrets Magazine

Open Secrets is a lit mag and community for memorable, revealing personal essays about all the subjects we're taught to keep "secret." Contact Editor Rachel Kramer Bussel at opensecretsmag at gmail.com

Airplane Mode with Liz Plank

your dose of news, minus the depression

Liz Plank is the author of "For the Love of Men: A New Vision for Mindful Masculinity," a beautiful book with a lot of big ideas about men and masculinity. Her newsletter often continues those conversations, along with exploring other moments and ideas in culture.

- Christopher Pepper

Mentoring Kids in a Connected World with Devorah Heitner

Parenting with Empathy in the Digital Age. Research-based advice on mentoring kids and teens as they navigate social media, texting, gaming and digital reputation.

Expert advice on managing technology, social media, and screen time with young people.

- Christopher Pepper

Oldster Magazine

By Sari Botton

Exploring what it means to travel through time in a human body, at every phase of life.

The Future of Education

By Michael B. Horn

Stay up to date on the innovations, changemakers, & trends to transform learning & education worldwide so that all individuals can build their passions, fulfill their potential, and live a life of purpose

Raising Good Humans with Dr. Aliza Pressman

The heart and science of parenting

What Do I Say?

By Dr. Debby Herbenick

Talking with Kids about Sex, Relationships, Bodies, & Puberty.

Raising Awe-Seekers

By Deborah Farmer Kris

Exploring how the science of wonder can help us thrive.

Make Men Emotional Again

By Jeremy

A newsletter for men who want deeper friendships and healthier relationships beyond performative masculinity—from therapist Jeremy Mohler

Becoming Technosexual with Kaamna

By Becoming Technosexual By Kaamna Bhojwani

All things sex, tech, and spirituality: finding authentic intimacy in the age of artificial intelligence.

Deep thinking about how technology and AI are affecting people's relationships and sexual lives.

- Christopher Pepper

The.Ink

By The Ink

A newsletter on politics and culture, money and power -- telling the truth without fear -- from Anand Giridharadas

Let's Talk Sleep

By Lisa L. Lewis

A newsletter about sleep and wellness! Evidence-based empathetic information and strategies for improving sleep for adolescents and adults.

Focused, expert advice about how to get more and better sleep. Highly recommended!

- Christopher Pepper

The Longest Shortest Time

By Hillary Frank

The Longest Shortest Time tells surprising stories about parenthood and reproductive health — but you don't have to be a parent to listen!

Andy Milne

Jessica Lahey

Writings on parenting, substance use prevention, education, recovery, and raising emerging adults.

Before and After the Book Deal

By Courtney Maum

Real talk about the writing + publishing industry from an author who doesn’t want you to feel confused, bewildered, or alone. Plus: craft tips, reading recommendations, writing support + solidarity (unless you are a jerk to people in the comments).

Black Diamond Parenting

By Tara Dawn Hartley

Montessori-inspired sex ed guidance for parents. Like learning to ski, we start easy, stumble together, and grow confident. Together we build relationships with our children rooted in openness, trust, and a connection that deepens over time.

We need more sex ed. We need better sex ed. Tara Hartley's newsletter is a great resources for understanding how to get therm.

- Christopher Pepper

Bringing Up Boys

By Dr. Taylor

Dr. Taylor is a child, gender, and sexuality development expert who provides tangible tips, resources, and strategies to boy parents raising their sons with positive masculinity.

A thoughtful newsletter for anyone raising boys and encouraging healthy masculinity.

- Christopher Pepper