Substacks recommended by Christopher Pepper

Recommended by Christopher Pepper

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

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).

Jessica Lahey

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

What Do I Say?

By Dr. Debby Herbenick

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

Zooming Out

By Joanna Schroeder

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

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

Here's the Thing with Reshma Saujani

By Reshma Saujani

Join me for my thoughts on all things midlife, bravery, motherhood, tech, and more.

The Maternal Stress Project

By Molly Dickens

Exploring the stress of modern American motherhood… and what we can do about it.

Matriarchal Blessing

By Celeste Davis

Catharsis for your feminist awakening.

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

gender (in)equality

By Kate Mangino

A conversation about gender norms at work and at home. Hitting your inbox every Wednesday afternoon.

Oldster Magazine

By Sari Botton

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

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 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

Erin In The Morning

By Erin Reed

News and discussion on trans legislation and life.

Parenting Without Diet Culture

By Oona Hanson

A newsletter from Oona Hanson — for parents and guardians who want their kids to have a healthy relationship with food, exercise, and their body

Oona Hanson is an expert on how to emphasize joy and connection while feeding kids and talking about about food and eating.

- Christopher Pepper

Make Men Emotional Again

By Jeremy

Join 2,900+ men (and those who support men) unlearning myths about masculinity that make us lonelier, sabotage our relationships, and divide us against each other—with therapist Jeremy Mohler, LCPC

Kids and Tech in the AI Era

By Jim Steyer and Bruce Reed

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

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

Raising Good Humans with Dr. Aliza Pressman

The heart and science of parenting

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

Andy Milne

Parenting Teenage Boys

By Lee Bare

A child psychologist (and mom of 3 boys) writing about parenting teenage boys and mental health

The Bittman Project

By Mark Bittman

A home for those who believe food is everything and should be treated that way. We celebrate the joy it brings us, but also focus on the very real challenges of making it sustainable and available for all.

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

- Christopher Pepper

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

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

The Creative Shift by Dan Blank

Helping writers and creators share their work and connect with readers in meaningful ways. Digging deep into marketing, book launches, and platform development. Get my weekly newsletter every Friday.

Substack Writers at Work | Sarah Fay

The art and business of building a devoted (paying) Substack readership—with the leading Substack Strategist, Sarah Fay

Raising Awe-Seekers

By Deborah Farmer Kris

Exploring how the science of wonder can help us thrive.

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

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

Winning Sex Ed

By Tara Dawn Hartley

On a mission to take the taboo out of sexuality education. Reflections, resources & social de-conditioning to inspire a new paradigm.

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

Body Type

By Mikala Jamison

The newsletter you should read if you have a body (and want to feel better in it).

This Teenage Life

Helping teens and preteens—and the adults who support them— feel less alone in the world.

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

Sex and the State

By Cathy Reisenwitz

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

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

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

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

American Inequality

By Jeremy Ney

Data on U.S. inequality and regional divides. Covering all things housing, healthcare, poverty, education, tech, and more.

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

Evil Witches Newsletter

By Claire Zulkey

We are people who happen to be mothers.

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

The.Ink

By The Ink

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

Rhana’s Substack

By Rhana Hashemi

My personal Substack

Rhana provides the kind of drug education I wish every teen had access to in school.

- Christopher Pepper

Of Boys and Men

By Richard V Reeves

rising to the challenges faced by the modern male

A Life Considered

By Francesca Fartaj

Break free from autopilot, discover what it truly means to live with intention, and architect a life that feels undeniably yours by redefining how you connect with yourself, others, and the world. Not by default, but by design.

Whitney makes insightful observations about life and raising children today.

- Christopher Pepper

Partnership for Male Youth

We are the only US national organization whose sole focus is on the health and wellbeing of adolescent and young adult males, or Gen Z males. Subscribe for information for youth, parents and caregivers.

Learn with Dr. Emily®

By Emily W. King

Join 13,000+ parents raising neurodivergent learners in a world that wasn’t built for them.