The hottest Advice Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Tough Love: Do I Like Being Single Too Much to Fall in Love?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3746 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Advice
  1. A full, independent single life can be wonderful, but being completely self-contained often leaves no space for a partner to enter and be needed.
  2. Deep romantic love requires humility and vulnerability — you have to be willing to let someone disrupt your routines, depend on them, and accept inconveniences for their sake.
  3. Love usually won’t arrive passively; actively meeting people, saying yes to dates or setups, and risking disappointment is how you give yourself a real chance at finding it.

Introducing: ‘Tough Love with Abigail Shrier’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1446 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Advice
  1. A new weekly advice column called "Tough Love" will deliver blunt, practical advice every Thursday to paying subscribers.
  2. It aims to tackle real-world anxieties, illustrated by a reader worried that looming social chaos makes it hard to commit to long-term plans while raising young children.
  3. Readers can submit questions to the column, but access requires a paid subscription, which is currently being promoted with 25% off the first year.

Manjula Martin Tells Us

Cheryl Strayed • 6368 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
📚 Literature Advice
  1. Manjula Martin shares about the importance of taking advice, whether it turns out to be good or bad.
  2. Her book, 'The Last Fire Season,' explores the wildfire crisis in the American West and personal experiences.
  3. Manjula talks about personal transformation and the joy of roller skating, pointing out the value of trying slow and rounding up when it comes to pain.

'Are Men Capable of Full Intimacy?'

Ask Polly • 3970 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Advice
  1. Don't see your emotions as a liability when dating; be authentic from the start.
  2. True intimacy involves accepting the real person without embellishments or illusions.
  3. Being fully alive in a relationship means accepting imperfections and embracing honesty.
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Things Worth Remembering: ‘Life Is Real! Life Is Earnest!’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2100 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
📚 Literature Advice
  1. Poetry used to be a common part of everyday life, offering advice on how to be a good person. It reminded people to take life seriously and find meaning in their experiences.
  2. Many classic poems provide timeless lessons about character, kindness, and resilience. They still resonate today, encouraging us to be our best selves.
  3. While some past poems may reflect troubling themes from their time, the overall message of earnestness and self-improvement remains valuable and relevant.

Dear Sugar Letter #34

Cheryl Strayed • 3871 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Advice
  1. The post is a Dear Sugar Letter #34 by Cheryl Strayed.
  2. The letter discusses a relationship between two men in their early thirties who moved in together.
  3. The letter addresses communication and compromise in the relationship.

Dear Sugar Letter #35

Cheryl Strayed • 3871 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Advice
  1. Dear Sugar Letter #35 talks about facing challenges in life
  2. The post discusses dealing with rejections, resistance, and disappointments
  3. It mentions the toll these events can take on one's happiness and self-esteem

Welcome to the EM Diary!

Diary of an Engineering Manager • 159 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
💼 Business Advice
  1. This blog shares real-life experiences of an Engineering Manager to help others grow into leadership roles. It's based on practical stories rather than high-level advice.
  2. It's aimed at senior engineers, team leads, and new engineering managers, providing actionable advice without any confusing jargon.
  3. Readers can expect weekly posts that are easy to understand and filled with insights about the daily life of an Engineering Manager in tech.

The Weekend Press: My Spare Embryos

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 287 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Advice
  1. IVF leaves many couples with hard choices about what to do with unused embryos, forcing them to grapple with when life begins and whether embryos are more than biological material.
  2. New technologies like polygenic risk scoring are encouraging people to treat embryos as predictors of future traits, which raises ethical and social concerns about designing or judging potential children.
  3. Those ethical questions are presented alongside a broad mix of cultural and practical content — interviews, advice, reviews, and weekend recommendations — aimed at informing and provoking reflection.

A Man Should Know: How to Propose

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 264 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Advice
  1. A proposal is the first shared decision of a marriage, so it sets the tone for the partnership.
  2. A private proposal can be the best first step toward a happy marriage, valuing intimacy over public spectacle.
  3. Men should prepare and seek practical, experience-based advice so their proposal reflects the relationship’s history and mutual commitment.

On Buying (and Selling) Books

CRAFT TALK • 2279 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
📚 Literature Advice
  1. Pre-orders are important for books to indicate interest and potentially get on bestseller lists.
  2. Advice and how-to books may have a longer sales trajectory compared to fiction.
  3. People can buy books whenever they want, but pre-ordering can support authors and their books.

Advice Time! Advice Time!

Culture Study • 2988 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Advice
  1. Joining a community can really help lift your spirits. It's nice to feel cared for and connected to others.
  2. You can ask for help on any topic, big or small. People love to share their thoughts and advice from their own experiences.
  3. Helping others is just as important as getting help. Be ready to give advice too, and keep the conversation going.

It's Peak Summer ADVICE TIME!

Culture Study • 1115 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Advice
  1. Summer is a great time for sharing advice and connecting with others. It helps build a community where people can support each other.
  2. Asking for advice can be hard, but it's important to be open and willing to seek help from others.
  3. Empathy and understanding create a safe space for people to celebrate successes and share struggles together.

sunday relationship advice

bad cattitude • 105 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Advice
  1. Modern relationship advice can often feel untrustworthy and self-centered.
  2. It's important to be cautious and mindful about the sources you turn to for relationship guidance.
  3. Finding genuine advice that resonates with real experiences is essential for healthy relationships.

who do you go to for advice?

bookbear express • 682 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Advice
  1. The people you spend time with can influence who you become. It’s okay to think your friends are better than you; it just means you have good company.
  2. Trusting your friends is important for healthy relationships. When you ask them for advice, it helps strengthen your bond.
  3. Friendships take work just like romantic relationships do. Maintaining them is key, and they can be more stable and supportive than romantic connections.

Hand-Holding: Two Final Readings (for now)

Bet On It • 105 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Advice
  1. Directly asking to hold hands is a simple, effective way to show interest.
  2. Saying "Do you like holding hands?" gives both people plausible deniability while still making your interest clear; if they say yes you can take their hand, and if no you can shrug it off.
  3. If you’re shy, small gestures and cultural moments can help you reach out; holidays like Thanksgiving or a song that resonates can be a good excuse to ask someone to hold your hand.

sunday memepool

bad cattitude • 77 implied HN points • 30 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Advice
  1. Holidays can be really stressful for many people. It's important to remember that not everyone experiences them the same way.
  2. Stress levels during the holidays vary from person to person. Some may find joy and relaxation, while others feel overwhelmed.
  3. Finding ways to cope with holiday stress is key. Simple strategies can help make the season more enjoyable for yourself and others.

Serious medical error from Perplexity’s chatbot

Marcus on AI • 2489 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Advice
  1. A serious medical error occurred in Perplexity's chatbot when giving post-surgery advice, showing the dangers of generative pastische.
  2. The error was due to combining specific advice for sternotomy with generic advice on ergonomics, potentially causing harm to the patient's recovery.
  3. This incident highlights the importance of caution in relying on chatbots for medical advice, as they can still provide inaccurate or harmful recommendations.

I Promise I Am Not Trying To Distract You Today

Everything Is Amazing • 1140 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Advice
  1. It's important to stay grounded during stressful times, like election season. Focus on small, manageable actions rather than getting overwhelmed by everything around you.
  2. Taking care of basic needs, like drinking enough water, can help reduce anxiety. Don't underestimate the power of staying hydrated.
  3. Instead of getting lost in distractions, try to engage with meaningful activities. Reading books or going for a walk can help you feel more centered and relaxed.

The First and Best Writing Advice I Ever Received

Counter Craft • 2350 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
📚 Literature Advice
  1. Finishing your writing projects is crucial - don't get stuck tinkering, but complete and move on to the next
  2. The best writing advice is often simple - just finish your work before worrying about other aspects like querying agents or publicity
  3. Failure is part of the process - finishing means making mistakes, learning from them, and improving your writing over time

FROM THE VAULT: A Master List of Dating Advice

Default Wisdom • 344 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Advice
  1. Always pay attention to how someone treats you when you're feeling down. It's a good sign if they are supportive.
  2. People will show their true colors over time, so give them a few dates to see who they really are.
  3. Be careful of obsessing over someone; it often reflects your own feelings and needs more than it does about them.

Seeking: Dating advice

Maybe Baby • 750 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Advice
  1. Sometimes, it helps to get different perspectives on personal questions. Asking friends or readers can lead to great advice.
  2. Everyone has unique experiences that can inform their advice. Sharing questions publicly can bring in valuable insights.
  3. It's okay to not have all the answers yourself. Leaning on a community for support and guidance can be really beneficial.

How Do You Find a Good [Insert Profession Here]?

Culture Study • 2116 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Advice
  1. The post discusses the importance of finding trustworthy professionals in various fields like doctors, therapists, contractors, and more.
  2. Detailed information is key when seeking recommendations or providing advice on services to ensure transparency and clarity.
  3. Conflicting advice and experiences are normal, emphasizing the idea that everyone's mileage may vary when it comes to service providers.

Grow

ASK MOLLY • 471 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Advice
  1. The importance of trying, failing, and trying again.
  2. Valuing your own perspective and not always conforming to others' expectations.
  3. Respecting boundaries by not giving unsolicited advice.

Radio tower caper goes sideways

INDIGNITY • 255 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Advice
  1. A radio tower theft incident went wrong, involving stolen merchandise like tanks, trailers, and jewelry.
  2. Various items were recently found in America, including a rocket grenade, a brown diamond, credit card skimmers, and chewed money.
  3. The newsletter also features sandwich recipes and discussions on Bluesky codes, a morning podcast, and marketing for different publications.

Answered and asked

INDIGNITY • 216 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Advice
  1. Advice columns may zhuzz up boring letters or invent interesting problems for entertainment.
  2. Ethical advice may suggest returning government funds, but it's up to you what to do with them.
  3. Launching an advice column may involve making up fake letters to get started and engage readers.