The hottest Culture Substack posts right now

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We're moving from Black History Month to Women's History Month and partying at the intersection

The Austen Connection • 373 implied HN points • 05 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture History Literature Education Art & Illustration Music
  1. Celebrating Black History Month and Women's History Month together is important
  2. There are many great Black authors and stories that are intersecting with the world of Jane Austen
  3. Exploring historic and contemporary works that celebrate Black history and women's history is enriching

Russell Brand's Charismatic Bullshit

Trickle-Down Wellness • 373 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Media Politics Entertainment
  1. Russell Brand used three charismatic persuasion techniques: constant touching, intrusive eye contact/name reference, and Gish gallop.
  2. Gish gallop is a tactic where someone overwhelms with many arguments without accuracy or strength.
  3. Brand's debate tactics involved avoiding specificity, focusing on affect over truth, and desiring the spotlight.

A Pilgrimage to Ravenna

Cathedral Effect • 373 implied HN points • 21 May 23
🎭️ Culture Travel History Art
  1. The city of Ravenna is known for its church mosaics and has a rich historical significance.
  2. Ravenna was a crucial city in Western Europe during the Byzantine Empire under Emperor Justinian.
  3. The art in Ravenna's churches reflects a different portrayal of Christ compared to Western medieval art.
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Lessons That Can't Be Learned

Origins of Our Time • 373 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture History Literature Politics Society Ideology
  1. Historiography can be more than just a hazing ritual for graduate students, it's about the overall relationship between evidence and argument in historical research.
  2. Neoliberalism and conservatism have overlapping values and affiliations, challenging the idea of a rigid separation between the two ideologies.
  3. The book overlooks significant cultural and social issues like abortion and LGBTQ+ rights while focusing on economic and political aspects, revealing a limited perspective.

ANDRE HARRELL: GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN

The Nelson George Mixtape • 373 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Music Fashion Film Mentorship Lifestyle
  1. Andre Harrell was a influential figure in the music industry, specifically in the founding of Uptown Records and grooming talent.
  2. Harrell had a keen eye for cultural trends and was skilled at identifying emerging talent and styles.
  3. His mentorship extended beyond race and he was known for nurturing and guiding many individuals in various fields.

Happy Christmas

Who is Robert Malone • 29 implied HN points • 25 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Lifestyle Homesteading Animals Food Travel Writing Health Politics
  1. The homestead is growing — more Lusitano horses, a herd of miniature Jersey cattle, expanded chicken and peafowl space, and a new rescue Pomeranian, with plans for foals and larger paddocks next year.
  2. Writing and media projects are underway — homesteading and wellbeing essays are being turned into a book, an autobiographical book about the mRNA vaccine story is planned, and a travel documentary is being developed.
  3. Major public and nonprofit work continues — a vice‑chair role on the CDC advisory committee, leadership of a nonprofit that publishes widely, and ongoing speaking, research, and outreach that reach millions each month.

Intentionally spiraling out

Austin Kleon • 1958 implied HN points • 25 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Design Media Mental health
  1. A simple notebook exercise can help reduce anxiety and make you feel a bit better. It's a small step to calm the mind.
  2. Listening to Mel Brooks' memoir is not just funny; it feels sweet and comforting. It's like connecting with family through his stories.
  3. Pre-ordering the special edition of 'Steal Like an Artist' is a great way to support and celebrate its 10th anniversary, plus you'll get a signed copy!

Links for January

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 515 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Politics Science Music Food Psychology
  1. Jimmy Carter once told a funny story about a rabbit that scared him while fishing, and it became a big deal in the news, even though he only shared it privately.
  2. There's interesting talk about how we classify mental disorders nowadays and if labels like 'ADHD' will still be relevant in the future.
  3. Recent studies show that drinking alcohol can lead to a higher risk of cancer, and it's great when reports present this information clearly and let people draw their own conclusions.

Welcome to the age of the late bloomer

The Common Reader • 1346 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Aging Talent Success Creativity Equality
  1. Older individuals are demonstrating remarkable capabilities and contributing significantly in various fields like politics and work, highlighting the value of skills and experience brought by older people.
  2. Late bloomers are becoming more common, with individuals achieving success and recognition later in life, showcasing that age is not a limiting factor for pursuing passions or making significant contributions.
  3. Embracing and celebrating both young talent and older individuals can enrich and diversify achievements and contributions in society, demonstrating the importance of recognizing and nurturing talent across various age groups.

Vol. 2, Issue 31 - The Legacy of Pokémon - Part 6 (Generation VI)

Johto Times • 19 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Gaming Nostalgia Fan culture Media Community
  1. Generation VI of Pokémon introduced exciting features like Mega Evolutions and the mobile game Pokémon GO, which brought new life to the franchise.
  2. The remake Pokémon Omega Ruby received praise for its added story elements and nostalgia, while some felt that Pokémon Y lacked depth and polish.
  3. Playing Pokémon GO created fun and memorable experiences, improving social interactions and physical activity, as well as providing a positive impact on mental well-being.

Something interesting is happening in Tulsa

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 2611 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Community Society Social justice Urban Development Philanthropy
  1. Tulsa, Oklahoma is experiencing positive transformations due to the efforts of wealthy individuals and community foundations.
  2. The Tulsa Tomorrow program aims to attract young Jewish individuals to Tulsa by offering job opportunities, social events, and resources to fulfill their dreams.
  3. Wealthy individuals in Tulsa have made significant investments to improve the city, showing visible impact in contrast to certain bureaucratic challenges faced by other cities.

Reality: A Lesson on Love from John Muir

Meaning || Matter • 19 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Nature Literature Art Philosophy History
  1. John Muir believed that to truly love nature, you have to understand it deeply. It's not just about enjoying beautiful views, but learning about the details and the science behind them.
  2. Muir's connection to Yosemite went beyond a short visit; it was a lifelong love. He spent years studying and exploring, showing that genuine love for something requires commitment and care.
  3. Sharing your passion for nature with others can inspire them to appreciate it too. Muir used his writing to invite more people to see and love the natural world around them.

A good heist novel, an excellent animated movie for adults and kids, and four new songs I like

Read Max • 579 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Film Music Art Entertainment
  1. A great heist novel can be really exciting and fun to read. It's full of action and clever plot twists.
  2. There's a new animated movie that's perfect for both kids and adults. It's visually stunning and family-friendly.
  3. Music lovers might enjoy checking out some new songs that have been released recently. They add a fresh vibe to your playlist.

Remembering Anson Rabinbach; Petrarch's Library; Shakespeare vs. Kafka

Unpopular Front • 30 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture History Literature Intellectual history Book Reviews Historiography European history
  1. The MAGA movement is splitting into a top-down, Murdoch-style propaganda wing and a chaotic, bottom-up conspiracy wing, and the top-down side is getting more overtly racist to signal 'authenticity,' which could strengthen the other wing.
  2. Nazism worked more as a Gesinnung—a mood or ethos made of rituals, emotions, and vague precepts—than as a single, coherent ideological system.
  3. Everyday, vernacular propaganda and emotional appeals often mattered more for spreading Nazism than elite aesthetics or so-called race science.

I'm in love...

Wild Holy & Free • 679 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Film Family Shopping Quotes
  1. The author shares a personal story about their love for Judy Blume and the impact her books had on their life.
  2. Seeing Judy Blume's book turned into a movie was a special experience for the author and their mother.
  3. The movie experience created a memorable moment for the author and their mother, highlighting the power of storytelling across generations.

What's got my attention this week #28

The Shift With Sam Baker • 279 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Music Literature Relationships Celebrities Personal Development
  1. The post highlights interesting reads, watches, and listens for the weekend, such as celebrating singleness and the centennial of Maria Callas.
  2. It mentions coping strategies for dealing with conflicts and explores intriguing topics like celebrity tell-alls and personal growth.
  3. There's a mix of subjects from Jeff Bezos to the concept of 'killing time,' offering a diverse range of content for the audience.

relationship puzzles

bookbear express • 423 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Relationships Communication Self-help Personal Growth Emotional Intelligence
  1. Love can be found in imperfect partners, and it's okay for no one to meet all your needs. Relationships can look different for everyone, and being descriptive rather than judgmental can help you support your friends better.
  2. Feelings can change quickly, and it's important to give yourself grace when you're feeling vulnerable or anxious. Instead of overthinking, try acknowledging your emotions and give yourself some time to process them.
  3. Communicating directly about how someone makes you feel can help ease your anxiety. It's okay to express your needs and concerns in relationships, as everyone can feel clingy or needy sometimes.

Anna Gát: What to Read This Weekend #52

interintellect • 176 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Poetry Visual art Music Media
  1. The future of humanism remains a mystery, worth exploring to salvage humane virtues from the chaos of modern history
  2. Diverse perspectives on topics like friendship, violence, cancel culture, and mental health encourage critical thinking and reflection
  3. In the world of AI, art, music, and poetry, innovative approaches and debates spark new insights and appreciation

My Recommendations for 2026

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 22 implied HN points • 26 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Film Books Music Podcasts Essays Reviews Pop culture
  1. A wide-ranging set of cultural recommendations spans movies, books, albums, articles, and podcasts to explore in 2026.
  2. Many picks center on modern themes like loneliness, identity, political change, masculinity, feminism, and the effects of technology and AI.
  3. The selection mixes mainstream hits with overlooked multilingual and niche works and models swapping phone scrolling for more deliberate reading and listening.

Better.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 49 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Self-Improvement Agency Choice Mindfulness Reflection
  1. Focus on making the best choice you can at any moment. It's more important to act now rather than dwell on past mistakes.
  2. Try to leave every interaction, place, or task better than you found it. Helping others and improving your surroundings can make you feel good too.
  3. Aim to be better than your past self every day. Small daily habits can lead to big improvements over time.

Photo of the Day

Photo of the Day • 216 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Photography History Comedy
  1. Bob Hope was a beloved entertainer known for his quick, irreverent humor
  2. Bob Hope bridged the gap between soldiers and civilians through his comedy during World War II
  3. Despite criticism in later years, Bob Hope's comedy provided comfort to Americans during challenging times

a few bad cats

bad cattitude • 136 implied HN points • 16 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Memes Humor Social Commentary Pop culture
  1. Laughing at yourself can make life better, so don't take things too seriously. It's important to find humor even in hard situations.
  2. Being bold and straightforward can help challenge nonsense in our world. Sometimes, it's okay to stir the pot and get a reaction.
  3. Freedom of speech is valuable, and using it can help guard against control and social pressure. It's essential to speak your mind, regardless of others' opinions.

Porn Is Inevitable

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 491 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media Law Society Sexuality Politics
  1. The Supreme Court is reviewing laws that require age verification on porn sites, but porn will likely continue to exist regardless of the outcome.
  2. Many states have introduced laws to prevent minors from accessing pornography, citing concerns about the impact on youth.
  3. Despite these regulations, the history of porn shows it's always been around and is easily accessible online, making these laws largely ineffective.

The Work of Substack

Oliver Bateman Does the Work • 176 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Writing Content creation Media Landscape Networking Podcasting
  1. The author emphasizes the importance of authentic and deep writing, prioritizing integrity and curiosity over digital fame and performative online culture.
  2. The Substack platform allows the author to explore a variety of topics that capture their interest, free from market trends or ideological constraints.
  3. The author's work on Substack reflects a commitment to consistent output, supported by paid subscribers, enabling a balance between creative freedom and financial stability.

Films About Flies

Animation Obsessive • 627 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Film Animation Horror Art Literature
  1. Flies are often seen as symbols of death and decay, especially in horror movies. Their creepy presence adds to the unsettling atmosphere.
  2. Two different animations titled 'The Fly' were made in the 1960s and 1980s in Yugoslavia and Hungary. Both films are considered horror, but they explore deeper themes beyond just the fly.
  3. The first 'The Fly' was nominated for an Oscar, while the second one won. This shows the artistic impact and recognition these films received in the animation world.

junk food for the soul

bad cattitude • 177 implied HN points • 12 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Social media Addiction Mental health Community Identity
  1. Social media acts like a quick fix to escape pain, but it often leads to deeper problems rather than solving them. People become addicted to the temporary relief it provides.
  2. The digital world creates a false sense of community, making people reliant on online validation which can lead to feelings of isolation and anxiety in real life.
  3. Social media can be very unhealthy because it promotes extreme behavior and divides people into angry groups. It's important to be aware of how it can shape our thoughts and relationships.

The Future of Trantor Publishing

Trantor Publishing • 219 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Writing Fiction Storytelling
  1. The author plans to start monetizing their Substack newsletter by offering exclusive content for paying subscribers while keeping most articles and reviews accessible for free subscribers.
  2. Paying subscribers will have the opportunity to influence the author's upcoming projects through polls and receive additional content like monthly exclusive short stories and chapter commentaries.
  3. The author provides insight into their upcoming projects, such as 'The Domes of Calrathia' and 'Gigaheroes', and teases an upcoming article discussing what Reactionary artists can learn from storytelling in Hollywood.

The Summary Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1387 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Technology AI Media Information Content
  1. AI-driven summaries are becoming more prevalent, affecting how we consume information.
  2. Tech-enabled summarization tools can be helpful due to the abundance of content, but they may strip away depth and context.
  3. Relying too much on AI for distilling information raises questions about the loss of individual interpretation and meaning-making.

Musings.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 34 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Literature Art Travel Wellness
  1. Appreciating what we have can be done by imagining its loss. Think about what life would be like if you never had that thing or person in your life anymore.
  2. Joy comes from connections with others and being in a state of flow. When we build relationships and engage deeply in activities, we often find happiness.
  3. Vagabonding is about choosing experiences over possessions. It’s about taking time off from everyday life to travel and enjoy new perspectives.

The Dark Side of Hustle Culture

Litverse • 139 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Influencer Culture Loneliness Work ethic Literature Mental health
  1. The influencer industry highlights the difficulties and pressures of constantly being connected online, impacting mental health and personal relationships.
  2. In a hustle culture that glorifies productivity, traditional social activities, reading, and personal experiences are neglected, leading to increased loneliness and anxiety among younger generations.
  3. The obsession with constant connection through screens and digital validation can result in a disconnection from real-life experiences, personal growth, and genuine human connections.