Substacks recommended by THE EMPRESS

Recommended by THE EMPRESS

Pep Talks For the Mildly Depressed

By Phoebe Ward

Writing, drawing, that sort of thing.

keepsake

By Julianna

Collecting thoughts and feelings for safekeeping

Ask Polly

By Heather Havrilesky

Advice and wisdom from Heather Havrilesky, published since 2012 (formerly at The Awl and NY Magazine). Paid subscribers receive 1-2 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.

- THE EMPRESS

Phosis

By Susan Campbell

Conversation and Community for Women in Peri/Menopause

If you're navigating perimenopause or menopause and crave insightful discussions, Phosis is a must-subscribe. This newsletter isn't just about hot flashes; it's a supportive space where women share tips, experiences, and advice on sleep, nutrition, mental health, and more. Join this empowering community for a smoother menopausal journey.

- THE EMPRESS

Paul Bradley Carr

Silicon Valley scourge turned thriller writer. Next: The Confessions (Atria, July 2025).

Joyce Wadler

An occasional humor column, much like the one I did at The New York Times, which was called "I Was Misinformed". But now, the only gatekeeper is me. I hear I will let me get away with anything.

I <3 Mess

By Emily Kirkpatrick

It takes a lot of money to look this cheap. Welcome to your weekly round up of the best of the worst celebrity fashion annotated with my many, many bad opinions.

Marie Newman Studio Substack

Sharing ideas, observations, analysis & occasionally explainers around politics, women & leadership, mental health, entrepreneurship, economic inequity, and healthcare. Podcast: onceincollege.com

The Modern Heretic

By Suzanne Gilberg

Disruptor, healer, educator, board certified OBGYN, Ayurvedic herbalist, the Menoposse's official crunchy mama. Menopause brought me my chill, but my opinions are still quite spicy.

Sarah Brennan

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...

- THE EMPRESS

The 50+ Mermaid

By Margie Zable Fisher

Funny, fearless, and done playing small. Writing about how life after 50 can be the best (and most interesting) chapter yet.

My Life in the Past

By Lucy Worsley

adventures with a British historian at large! a weekly update from historian and broadcaster Lucy Worsley

Drinks With Broads

By Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

A Pop Culture Cocktail Served by the Fug Girls

Mad Woman

By Amanda Montei

Feminist takes on literature and culture.

The Grieving Place

By Dina Bell-Laroche

A brave space to reclaim a healthy relationship with grief and loss.

In with the Old

By Hilary Hattenbach

Posts might mention: Aging, Donuts, High Cholesterol, Quirky Elders, Astrology, and Dancing

Because quirky donuts and dancing bring joy to my aging soul!

- THE EMPRESS

Writer Noise

By Cindy House

a newsletter by Cindy House

She's Gone Chilaquiles

By Anna Schott

essays, memoir, food analogies

You Need to Watch This!

By You Need to Watch This by Beth Lisogorsky

I find the good stuff for you. So you don't have to.

North Atlantica

By Heidi Legg

politics, culture, and the ties that bind US, Canada, and Great Britain

Wham! Bam! Thank You! Slam!

By Nan

Humans crave stories — and the women of Substack know exactly how to make them sting, sparkle, and stay in your head. No apologies. No tidy arcs. Just the parts we usually whisper.

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

The Teachers Way

By Molly Moynahan

Molly Moynahan posts about teaching, writing, sobriety, parenting, culture, and living with grace and humor.

The Grudge Report

By Bess Kalb

Scribbling into the void!

The Clearing by Katherine May

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

Ramona At Midlife

By Brooke Berman

A newsletter by playwright and filmmaker Brooke Berman sparked by her feature film Ramona At Midlife (currently streaming!) centering midlife creativity and reinvention, women in indie film, the motherhood/artist hustle and the creative process at large.

Poor Man's Feast

By Elissa Altman

The James Beard Award-winning narrative journal about the intersection of sustenance, storytelling, and the creative spirit (and sometimes, a recipe).

Juvenescence with Leah McLaren

A newsletter by the journalist and author Leah McLaren. Weekly essays on life, love, the creative unconscious and the tragicomedy of being alive -- plus regular video interviews with writers.

The Mindful Writer

By Amanda Saint

The Mindful Writer is where we live and write more mindfully and use our words to bring more peace, love and unity to the world.

Midlife Musings

By Kimberly Wilson

Reflections and inspiration on bringing beauty and balance into the midlife journey.

Hotflash inc menopause + midlife by Ann Marie McQueen

By Ann Marie

Powered by GenX journalism, weighted across scientific evidence, expert opinion and human experience – this is your moderate middle ground to a sovereign menopause + midlife.

Because she's the most rigorous journalist covering the midlife women's health beat--and she doesn't drink the Kool-Aid--ever.

- THE EMPRESS

Women's Survival Guide

By Kim's WSG Blog ❤️

Women’s Survival Guide, is here to help you (and me) shift from NOW WHAT?! to an exciting WHAT'S NEXT? through personal stories, inspiring interviews, and practical advice. Discover new passions, and a renewed sense of possibility, together.

Stroopwaffled

By Jennifer Barnett

Once upon a time I worked in magazines. Writing about life as an American in Amsterdam.

Dead Language Society

By Colin Gorrie

English is weirder than you think. A weekly dive into the hidden history of everyday words.

FRESH HELL Tina Brown's Diary

By Tina Brown

Tina Brown's observations, rants, news obsessions, and human exchanges.

P.S. by Plum Sykes

From the desk of the Original Voguette

Mary Tabor "Only connect ..."

By <Mary L. Tabor>

The arts, books, movies, a course: Write it!, The Writing Life, (Re)Making Love: a memoir (fully up now), Who by Fire: a novel, Cooking With Mary, Watercolors and story in Letters to My Granddaughter.

Imogen Vane: Midlife | Magic | Mayhem

Paranormal/Romantasy Author | Midlife. Magic. Mayhem.

The Long Middle

By Lisa Renee

Letters about life in the middle.

The Reclamation Era

By Steph Sprenger

The intersection of midlife, single motherhood, and neurodivergence

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie

New work from the award-winning author and psychologist. A gathering place for lovers of myth, fairy tales and depth psychology, exploring the mysteries of the psyche and reimagining women's stories.