THE EMPRESS | Alisa Kennedy Jones

Recommended by Alisa Kennedy Jones

A weird newsletter about all the midlife things: kids, parents, food, sex, holidays, rage, and sweating at night, by the author of Waiting for Birdy and We All Want Impossible Things.

I LOVE this woman and her WRITING... she is a TRUE Empress!!! I'm so glad she's here!

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

Attention Economy

By Leigh Stein

a weekly newsletter about how the internet is impacting how we write and publish books, by extremely online author Leigh Stein

Practically Deliberate with Abby Davisson

Actionable insights on intentionality, decision-making, and personal development (like the ones in my book, Money & Love: An Intelligent Roadmap for Life's Biggest Decisions) that lead to greater wellbeing.

Disability & Determination

By Jackie

Once upon a time there lived a disabled thirty-something trying to maneuver mental health, relationships, a global pandemic, getting older, and day-to-day life. This is her story...

Because we all need to think about how to design a world with more radical empathy... especially in the face of global aging and climate change.

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

The Shift With Sam Baker

By sam baker

Women don't vanish after 40. Who knew?! Amplifying and celebrating the voices of women in midlife and beyond by the former editor of Red, Cosmopolitan (and Just 17!)

Good Humor

From the famous quote, “Arise good humor. Thou hast given me a joust of moral flavor.” Sir Wellington of Argyle, the discoverer of a heavy beef dish and a sock for golfers.

Life (un)Learned

By Kim Van Bruggen

It’s not you, it’s what you learned along the way.

Because we are all in a constant renaissance...

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

Womancake Magazine

By Alicia Dara

Slices of wisdom by women age 40+. Wildly inspiring interviews, personal essays, poetry and visual art delivered right to your inbox.

Kurt Vonnegut Radio

By Gabe Hudson

If Kurt Vonnegut had a podcast, it would sound like this.

Pulling the Thread with Elise Loehnen

I read a lot and share what I learn. Spiritual seeker. Pulling apart the stories we tell about who we are so we can re-write a truer version. Podcast host and author of the New York Times bestseller ON OUR BEST BEHAVIOR.

For deep dive into the intellectually rigorous spiritual WHYs, but with a soft sweater instead of a hair shirt, lol.

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

Field Blend

By Elyse Chambers

Thoughts on motherhood, womanhood and the stuff of life – serving up beautiful finds along the way.

Adore her finds & perspective!

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

How To Be Old

By Lyn Slater

Essays and more, by Lyn Slater, AKA the Accidental Icon. Taking the tackiest tropes of age and beauty and turning them into objects of pride through the study of fashion. And I have a book that does just that. Coming March 12, How to Be Old.

The New Now

By Russell C. Smith

Essays, prose poetry, novel chapters, short stories, noir prose poems, flash fiction, art, life, freedom of thought.

Force Majeure by Alicia Dara

A Gen-X mid-life womanifesto. Life-affirming, love-learning and limitless.

Alicia Dara is a singular voice teaching others how to tap into theirs... She is a force (and witch 😂) of the highest order. Because of her, I will stop using the GLORIOUS word "invagination". Follow her for much magic and wisdom!

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

Saratonin

By Sara Benincasa

A delightful weekly newsletter that is sometimes hilarious, sometimes poignant & often full of useful recommendations & weirdly enchanting ideas

A singular comedic voice and author dedicated to figuring it out with the rest of us. Her tribute to Frederick Law Olmsted is a classic! Chef's kiss (M'wah!)

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

For Dear Life with Maggie Smith

A newsletter about writing & other things that make this life dear—from the poet, not the dame

Some singular poetic alchemy for your rag and bone heart... right when you need it + beat-by-beat insight into verse craft.

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie

New writing from the award-winning author, psychologist and mythologist. A gathering place for hags, lovers of myth, fairy tales and archetypal psychology, and all those seeking the enchanted life.

homeculture is becoming the pocket observatory

By Meg Conley

Collecting light from the seen and unseen.

Funny, incisive, and eloquent, all at once--about the things that matter most--the intersection of the care economy, family, identity, and feeling whole.

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

The Long Middle

By Lisa Renee

Letters about life in the middle.

The Hyphen by Emma Gannon

The Hyphen is an independent newsletter for curious readers from Sunday Times Bestselling author Emma Gannon. On books, work, wellbeing & creativity. "One of Britain’s most prominent Substack writers" —The Times

Girls of a Certain Age

By Kim France

Style advice, shopping picks, pop culture, and opinion for over-40 women and the over-40-curious, from former Sassy staffer and Lucky Magazine founding editor in chief Kim France.

Most excellent wisdom + fashion finds when you refuse to give into solely Eileen Fisher and Caftans.

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

gotham girl

By Alisa Kennedy Jones

gotham girl is a reader-supported newsletter for inquisitive readers from bestselling author Alisa Kennedy Jones. "One of America’s funniest, most singular voices on Substack" — The New York Times

Oldster Magazine

By Sari Botton

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

Because, hello? It's a gem by literary goddess Sari Botton...

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

Mad Woman

By Amanda Montei

Feminist analysis of books and culture + other hysterics by Amanda Montei, author of TOUCHED OUT and other stuff.

Day In The Life

By Tom a pissed off cat

A satirical look at American, Canadian. UK politics seen through the eyes of an extremely pissed off cat who is baffled by the behavior of the two-legs in his orbit

The pissed-off Stephen Colbert of cats... What's not to love?

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

Ladyparts

By Deborah Copaken

One small step for woman, one giant leap for...never mind. Enough with the baby steps.

Girl Trouble

By Diana Whitney

Join me for Girl Trouble, a monthly newsletter of my favorite books & feminist heroes.

The Audacity.

By Roxane Gay

Writing that boldly disregards normal restraints.

BAD AT KEEPING SECRETS

By Carissa Potter

emotional messes & intimate conversations

Because we believe there is great power in the messy middle!

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

Cheryl Strayed's Dear Sugar

This is the home of two newsletters by Cheryl Strayed. Paid subscribers receive Cheryl's Dear Sugar Letter once a month (both audio & written), and her regular newsletter several times a year. Free subscribers get her regular newsletter only. Thanks!

Don't we all need some Sugar in our Tiny Beautiful Little lives?

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

FEMINIST GIANT

By Mona Eltahawy

Global feminist resistance to patriarchal fuckery

One of the MOST singular voices on the peri/menopause journey--Mona Eltahawy is a feminist author, commentator, and disruptor of patriarchy. She is editing an anthology on menopause called BLOODY HELL! And Other Stories: Adventures in Menopause from Across the Personal and Political Spectrum. Coming Soon... and we at THE EMPRESS cannot wait.😂

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

The Clearing by Katherine May

By The Clearing with Katherine May

A newsletter and community for wild minds, winterers and enchantment-seekers with internationally bestselling author Katherine May.

Ask Polly

By Heather Havrilesky

Advice and wisdom from Heather Havrilesky, published since 2012 (formerly at The Awl and NY Magazine). Paid subscribers receive twice weekly posts on how to navigate our broken world with compassion, realism, and an open heart.

Because nowhere else will you get such vulnerable, poetic, tell-it-like-it-is counsel about life's hardest conundrums.

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

The TueNight Social

By TueNight

A grab-bag of Gen-X goodies: midlife stories, pop culture, and a community for grown-ass women

So many wonderful bits & bobs for EMPRESS readers...

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

Abortion, Every Day

By Jessica Valenti

All things abortion. Feminist commentary & community.

Both Are True

By Alex Dobrenko

Absurd, honest comedy delivered twice a weekish through the vulnerable personal essays of Alex Dobrenko: tv actor+writer to some, father to one, and friend to all.

Evil Witches Newsletter

By Claire Zulkey

We are people who happen to be mothers.

We ALL need a coven... and it starts with Claire, lol.

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

Men Yell at Me

By lyz

Written from a journalist in a red state, this newsletter is personal, political, sometimes funny and always raises hell.

HONEY STAY SUPER

By Kimberly Harrington

A newsletter about creating a new life after 50, after marriage, after kids, and after publishing. So sick of learning and growing I could barf. Making you think, cry, laugh, and feel. Read me, won’t you?

Kimberly Harrington is right IN IT right now and Funny as Hell.

- Alisa Kennedy Jones

Culture Study

By Anne Helen Petersen

Think more about the culture that surrounds you

Every interview is a deep dive gift--it's the PhD you wish you'd done.

- Alisa Kennedy Jones