Substacks recommended by Nan Tepper

Recommended by Nan Tepper

Up for Adoption

By Emily Sinagra

Musings, reflections & complaints of an adoptee.

Intermittently Human by Douglas Halpert

Douglas Halpert will take you on a journey to experience how places are as alive as the people who inhabit them

Midstack

By Jessica Smock

A membership community for midlife women who want to write, connect, and grow on Substack, from the editors of Midstory Magazine.

Wild Lion*esses Pride by Jay

🏳️‍🌈 Exploring resilience, self-compassion, and the beauty of transformation. Writing on belonging, overcoming adversity, and the wisdom found in vulnerability and authenticity.

Style Your Stack

By Nan Tepper

Need help coming up with a logo? A wordmark? A cover image? Flummoxed by the tech? Do you want to brand your stack? Need a tour around the backend of your newsletter and help setting it up? I do it all!

Nan is a talented designer and a techie with Luddite origins, so she understands how wacky the backend of Substack can be for people. She's got a great eye, and is a gentle and empowering teacher with a great sense of humor. She'll up your game, and make you look great! Oh. And she's someone I know very well! xo

- Nan Tepper

Wendy’s World

By Wendy Varley

Arts, books, life!

The Salty Crone—Prajna O'Hara

By Prajna O'Hara aka The Salty Crone

Writing from undefended heartbreak—for what has been shunned, lost, or betrayed to be salvaged—to restore feminine love—to explore archetypes, creative imagination, dreams—the return to our soul home.

What Comes Next?

By Abigail Thomas

Something odd will cross my mind, or a memory will catch me off guard, or my monkey mind will swing from the ceiling fan, or a tiny ant will crawl up the bookcase next to my chair. Then I get curious and curiosity is the first step in an unknown direction

The Long Goodbye : Dementia Caregiving

By Jodi Sh. Doff

As caregivers to a parent(s) with dementia, we're just trying not to lose our minds as they loses theirs, because murder/suicide, while appealing, is not a great option. https://linktr.ee/jshdoff

There's nothing I can say about Jodi that would adequately describe her uniqueness in the space this little box provides. She's mostly writing about giving care to her mom who lives with dementia. Jodi's voice is like none other I've read, it truly doesn't matter what she's writing about, it's always a joy to read her. She's a treasure chest full of surprises and grace.

- Nan Tepper

You're Right, I Do Look Tired

By Eileen Dougharty

I'm not here to sell you anything bought or processed, you know, as a career. I’ve found that writing honestly about my life has connected me with others in a most meaningful way. I would love to learn from you as well, let’s get real together ❤️

American Woman

By Dina Honour

When you're a woman, the personal is political.

Dina is one of the best, most eloquent writers I've found on Substack. Her voice is clear, and she speaks her truth, bravely and beautifully. I never miss reading one of her essays. Brava!

- Nan Tepper

Absolute Pleasure

By Amy Gabrielle

Midlife, widowed mom to one tween boy. I write about some of the crazy sh*t grief made me do after my husband died from cancer in 2021.

Writer, interrupted

By Mary Roblyn

Life interrupts. But it doesn't mean forever. When my husband died, grief opened my heart. Join me at my award-winning Featured Publication.

Because Life is Messy...

By Paulette Bodeman of Because Life Is Messy…

Finding the gold in the beautiful mess of our precious lives.

Paulette is one of the most genuine people I know. Her writing is earnest and kind, and it seems that it's always in service to others. She's a beauty. Treat yourself to a lovely read.

- Nan Tepper

Come As You Are

By Ally Hamilton

How much do childhood wounds shape who we become? What does it mean to heal? How can you be a deeply feeling person in this world and not lose your mind? We'll get into all of that and more. Thanks for spending some time with me.

Let The Words Fall Out

By Mesa Fama

I believe that words can be bridges bringing us to one another. If you're like me and like to dig deeper into ourselves, go beyond the surface of things, and think about our place in all of this, then you'll find a home here.

Who is Mesa Fama? If you don't know, it's time to find out. She's one of the kindest people writing on Substack. She's a delver, and a the loveliest of writers. She says things simply, yet with a sophistication that is informed by great emotional intelligence. I love reading her words.

- Nan Tepper

Inner Wilderness Unlimited

By Jamie Wallace

That friend who makes things a little weird by asking Big Questions, but makes up for it with inspiring pep talks and — when needed — a kick in the ass.

Stantonland

By Chris Stanton

Thoughtful, satirical essays and absurd humor pieces.

Chris Stanton is my reliable weekly laugh-out-loud. He's entertaining, smart as fuck, and helluva great guy. What more could a reader ask for? Check him out.

- Nan Tepper

Going Solo at the End of the World

By Marya Hornbacher—Going Solo

Solo traveler and New York Times bestselling author goes rogue to bring readers a first-person report from the far reaches of the American road.

Marya is a truth-teller, no holds barred. She's also a lover of life and people. Generous, wise, and curious. Add that to a command of language and self-expression, and an eloquence I've rarely seen, she's an absolute treasure.

- Nan Tepper

Living in 3D

By Amy Brown

Life lessons in embracing desire in every decade from a late-blooming woman in her 60s, still in the process of becoming. We thrive by planting our roots in all three dimensions at once: mind, body and spirit.

[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil

Sharing what it's really like to get old, from the blessings to the bullshit.

Root Stories

By Miranda

The mechanics, psychology and joy of storytelling. A bit of “how to”. A lot of wandering through memories. Occasional musings on the detritus of life. Also gardening, growing and staying sane with nature.

Open Secrets Magazine

Open Secrets is an online magazine 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

Holly Starley's Rolling Desk

My living room is the world. Pull up a chair.

Life (un)Learned

By Kim Van Bruggen

Where you unravel ingrained beliefs, examine limiting habits, and navigate life transitions with a recovering CEO.

LIVING IN THE EDGES

By Rhaine Della Bosca

Exploring the electric aliveness of life where things are less refined, less tame, meatier, maybe even raw – the lived experience where mental health, culture and art intersect.

Illustrated Life

By Amy Cowen

Connecting the dots between creative habit, drawing, writing, memory, gratitude, aging, making art in the margins, & more. Plus, free Illustrate Your Week prompts for keeping an illustrated journal. 📓 🏳️‍🌈 🖋️

That Trans Friend You Didn't Know You Needed

By Robin Taylor (he/him)

*Everybody needs a trans friend.

There’s Nothing Wrong With You (And There Never Was)

By Kelly Thompson

Kelly Thompson writes about how to recover, find your badass, kick ass, and align with your true Self. She is editor and curator for The Rumpus column, Voices on Addiction.

Amazement Seeker

By Rona Maynard

Celebrating discovery in art, writing and the moment as it flies

Rona Maynard is eloquent and deeply connected to her heart when she writes her stories. Her craft is solid, elegant and wise. I look forward to her weekly essays and I come away enriched. Read Rona, you'll be amazed!

- Nan Tepper

Tales of a Wayward Yogini

By Sue Ferrera

Fostering healing, acceptance, and radical joy through storytelling + community. Subscribe to find calm in the chaos.

Sue Ferrera's a delight. Her writing is warm, compassionate, and generous. A humble and honest voice, with a clear view of balance and kindness.

- Nan Tepper

Surrendering to Sappho

By Katrina Anne Willis

Thoughts from a late-in-life lesbian.

The Halfway Path

By Jacqueline Dooley

Essays about navigating parental grief, aging, and soon-to-be empty nesting (with an occasional rant)