The hottest Community Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Hidden Open Thread 414.5

Astral Codex Ten • 412 implied HN points • 02 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. The post is behind a paywall and accessible only to paid subscribers.
  2. You can either subscribe or sign in to gain access to the content.
  3. It's dated Jan 02, 2026 and labeled Hidden Open Thread 414.5, showing it's part of a numbered series for subscribers.

Javier Evelyn on Building in the Midwest

Midwest Humble • 55 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
💼 Business Community
  1. Alerje started from lived experience and successfully built, patented, and sold a connected epinephrine device to a strategic partner, then shifted to software that gives real-time allergy data to doctors to improve care.
  2. Michigan’s startup scene offers lower costs and a supportive, tightly connected community where introductions and mentorship are common, and new funds plus large medtech employers are starting to unlock more local capital.
  3. Medtech hardware is tough because of regulatory and fundraising challenges, but those obstacles can build defensibility. Staying focused, leaning on mentors and faith, and lifting others while you grow are key to long-term success.

Bathtime in Bulgaria

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 639 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Ivan Vazov is a key figure in Bulgarian literature and his work sparked a sense of national identity. His poetry, especially about freedom, shaped how many Bulgarians see their history.
  2. Baths in Bulgaria are more than just places to get clean; they hold cultural and spiritual significance. They serve as social spaces where people connect and share, reflecting the blend of history and community.
  3. The experience of bathing has evolved through different political contexts, from Ottoman influence to socialist ideals and now into capitalist commodification, affecting how people relate to these traditions and spaces today.

Angels, Dragons, And That Spiritual Monster Truck Rally At The End Of The Opera

The Corners by Nadia Bolz-Weber • 5522 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Community
  1. Revel in the complexity and symbolism of spiritual narratives like the battle between angels and dragons in the book of Revelation.
  2. Reflect on how deception can touch us all, prompting self-reflection on personal biases and misconceptions.
  3. Embrace humility to navigate the battle between good and evil, acknowledging that certainty in righteousness can be more dangerous than blatant evil.
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Merry Christmas 2025

Computer Ads from the Past • 384 implied HN points • 28 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. The message arrived later than planned because life got in the way.
  2. Warm holiday wishes are offered, saying Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to readers.
  3. There’s a hope the new year will bring more retro computer nerdiness and related content.

No to Borders, Yes to Allowing Whites-Only Enclaves

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 2511 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community
  1. Some people want to live in communities where only people of the same race are allowed, and they argue this should be their right.
  2. Often, debates about immigration are mixed with feelings of racism, as many people want to close borders for unfair reasons.
  3. It's important for communities to choose how they want to live, but this choice shouldn't take away the freedom of others to live differently.

Friendship maintenance

bookbear express • 445 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Community
  1. Deep friendships are built slowly and need regular maintenance — spending time, creating rituals, and sharing experiences is how relationships become reliable.
  2. Different friendships require different approaches: some thrive on constant contact, others on rare intense hangouts, so use rituals, proximity, and creative ways to stay in touch (even location sharing) to keep them alive.
  3. Inconvenience and occasional conflict are part of community, not problems to avoid; saying yes to messy, inconvenient things and trusting that people will come back helps friendships deepen.

Day 14. Fun Lesson: HOW TO HAVE FUN... DRAWING (Closed Eyes, Alternate Hand)

DrawTogether with WendyMac • 2928 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Community
  1. Day Drawing Habit involves fun drawing lessons with no tests or rules, encouraging experimentation and new perspectives.
  2. Drawing should be fun, and to keep it that way, focus on playfulness, connection, and flow while letting go of perfectionism and judgement.
  3. Having fun while drawing helps retrain the brain to focus on positive things, promotes wellbeing, and can replace the urge to seek entertainment on social media.

A Holiday Message from Glenn

Glenn Loury • 3809 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
🎙 Podcasts Community
  1. The Glenn Show had a successful year expanding its audience and having meaningful conversations.
  2. The support from viewers, readers, and subscribers is greatly appreciated.
  3. The future looks bright for The Glenn Show in 2024.

Call for Subscriber Writing, December 2025

Freddie deBoer • 556 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
📚 Literature Community
  1. Paying subscribers can submit links to their writing for a bimonthly roundup by using the Google Form, and the deadline is Sunday, December 7 at 10 PM EST.
  2. Submissions must be entered in the exact Markdown format requested (bolded name, bracketed title with https link, blank line, short description) or they won’t be included.
  3. This roundup is only for links to already-hosted written work (not podcasts, streams, or to post full text here), so link to a blog post, Substack, publisher page, or Amazon listing so readers can access your piece.

Some of The Worst Mistakes You Can Ever Make as a Prepper

OK Doomer • 106 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Stop doubting yourself and avoid tiny half-measures; decide what you can realistically do and act on it.
  2. Make and commit to a clear, practical plan and build skills and systems steadily instead of panic-buying when you’re scared.
  3. Prep with purpose but don’t let it take over your life — enjoy time with loved ones, learn from mistakes, and keep going.

30 Days, 8 Cities, 1 Question: Where Did American Prosperity Go?

Kyla’s Newsletter • 656 implied HN points • 13 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community
  1. Many people feel that the economic system isn't working for them, even though wealth exists in places like stock portfolios and data centers. This creates a disconnect between visible decay in everyday life and invisible prosperity.
  2. Younger generations are struggling with job security, high debt, and an uncertain future due to AI and automation. This affects their ability to buy homes and start families, leading to feelings of helplessness.
  3. There’s a growing desire for change, including unionization and support for reforms that make work more meaningful and equitable. People are looking for ways to rebuild and trust their communities again.

The Best Night of My Life Was a Free Press Party

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1989 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Many people think younger generations don't know how to have fun, but events like the Free Press party show they can gather, socialize, and enjoy themselves enthusiastically.
  2. The nightlife experiences create strong connections and relationships among attendees, proving that young people can engage deeply with each other.
  3. A diverse mix of young individuals at the party highlights a growing community that embraces different backgrounds and opinions, fostering optimism about future generations.

The Bones of a Dark Age Academy

Letters from Fiddler's Greene • 2437 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. The Dark Age Academy should focus on mutual aid, lobbying, security, and relief organizations to support the community's basic needs and economic security.
  2. The Academy should also include organizations that support education, family life, and community quality, like homeschooling and family support groups.
  3. In addition, the Dark Age Academy should incorporate fraternal organizations, business associations, and political parties to organize and direct power for the good of the community.
  4. Arts and intellectual publications, journals, and communities are essential for understanding the world, providing higher thinking, and capturing the truth, beauty, and good in society.

Introducing $50K in Moku Creator Bounties!

Ronin’s Newsletter • 245 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
🔮 Crypto Community
  1. A $50,000 creator bounty program rewards content about Grand Arena over a 12-week period, with submissions accepted from January 12 to April 6 and anyone eligible regardless of follower count.
  2. The prize structure includes a shared pool (about $7,500 every 4 weeks, with an extra $7,500 if 100 approved pieces are reached) that pays roughly $150 per approved piece, plus a $5,000 bonus pool for weekly and top content awards; payouts are distributed every 4 weeks in Ronin (RON equivalent).
  3. Creators can submit many content types—threads, videos (30s–10min), art, memes, music, cosplay, and podcasts—via the submission form starting Jan 12, and entries are judged on quality, originality, and consistency while spam, stolen, or low-effort work won’t be rewarded.

On Stretchly, Shabbat, and Present-Mindedness

Human Programming • 51 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Community
  1. Regular, scheduled short breaks (like Stretchly) can interrupt constant work and give you small moments of mindfulness, movement, and presence.
  2. Modern life often flattens time into a continuous push to advance projects, while practices like Shabbat create differentiated time that encourages being present with people and the world.
  3. Software micro-pauses are helpful as "micro-Shabbats," but they're not a full substitute for larger communal or intentional rhythms; they can, however, be a practical step toward building those bigger pauses.

welcome to not boring world

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 235 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
💼 Business Community
  1. Not Boring World is a paid section that gathers smart founders, researchers, and creators and helps them co-write longform essays so their best, frontier ideas actually get published.
  2. This is a bet on the written word over podcasts and video: deep, canonical ideas are meant to be written, and the project aims to surface fresh inputs you won't find in LLMs.
  3. They'll build editorial infrastructure and a contributor network to curate those inputs into a coherent 'means and meaning' worldview, funded by subscribers, with community features like chats, debates, and more frequent co-written pieces.

Jürgen Klopp: A Liverpool Legend

Original Football • 818 implied HN points • 20 May 24
🎾 Sports Community
  1. Jürgen Klopp transformed Liverpool from an average team to a European football powerhouse through his passion, unity, and attacking style of play.
  2. Klopp's legacy goes beyond trophies, as he deeply connected with fans, embraced Liverpool's culture, and championed important social causes.
  3. Klopp's mentorship and emphasis on values like resilience and humility have groomed future leaders within the Liverpool squad, leaving a lasting impact even after his departure.

If you're missing the Culture Study Gift Guide....

Culture Study • 500 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. A huge Culture Study Gift Guide lives on Patreon with over 168 curated recommendations from small businesses, covering gifts, classes, jewelry, food, cards, calendars, and a special section for Canadians.
  2. There are clear steps to move subscriptions from Substack to Patreon with specific instructions for paid annual subscribers, comp subscribers, and free subscribers, plus links to submit support requests if you can’t find your transfer link.
  3. If you run into problems, Patreon support or the provided email address will help sort it quickly, and subscribers are thanked for their patience and support.

The Death of the Public Library

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2184 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Public libraries are declining, not because people read less, but because they are being used more as shelters for the homeless.
  2. Many libraries are struggling with visitors and book circulation, making it hard for people to find a quiet space to read or study.
  3. Despite their beauty and potential, libraries like the Mandel in West Palm Beach are facing challenges that affect their original purpose.

Friday Thread: What Are You Struggling With That No One Else Sees?

Culture Study • 1526 implied HN points • 22 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. People often struggle with issues that they feel others can't see or understand. It's important to talk about these hidden struggles.
  2. Sharing personal challenges can create a supportive environment where others feel they aren’t alone. It’s a reminder that everyone has their own battles.
  3. Finding a community to discuss these feelings can bring comfort and connection. Opening up about what's tough can help lighten the load.

The Loneliest Decades of Our Lives

Culture Study • 4988 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Many people experience a drop in friendships during their late 20s to 40s. This period can feel lonely as work and family take up most of our time.
  2. Older adults tend to have more close friends, possibly because they have more time to socialize and engage in community activities. They often bring a practiced understanding of building and maintaining friendships.
  3. Prioritizing friendships can be tough in today's busy world. It's important to recognize this struggle and find ways to make time for friends and community, even amidst life's other demands.

we are each other's heaters

Both Are True • 158 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Having a warm, reliable place or community makes the coldness of sharing creative work feel manageable.
  2. Other people act like heaters — honest, caring relationships let us be vulnerable, recharge, and go back out into the cold again.
  3. If we don’t have real warmth we chase surface-level online validation that won’t truly warm us, and those tokens only mean more when we’re already whole inside.

Preseason Sunday: Fantasy Football is Much More Fun When You Accept What You Can't Control

Freddie deBoer • 1392 implied HN points • 24 Aug 25
🎾 Sports Community
  1. Fantasy football is a game influenced by factors beyond your control, like player injuries or unexpected coaching decisions. Understanding this makes it more enjoyable instead of stressful.
  2. Many people take fantasy football too seriously, often leading to conflicts and anxiety. It's best to see it as a fun way to connect with friends rather than a high-stakes competition.
  3. Embrace the randomness of the game; it's part of what makes it exciting. Celebrating small wins, like a lucky player pick, can enhance your enjoyment of the season.

What Is Substack For?

Castalia • 3017 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Substack can help writers make money from their work, encouraging them to think like entrepreneurs and market their writing effectively.
  2. Some argue that Substack is more about building a community of writers, emphasizing creativity and support over money.
  3. Another view is to see Substack as a base for writing, where authors can share their voice while also engaging with wider audiences through different platforms.

What's Going to Happen Next.

What's Important? • 62 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Community
  1. Tightly curated, small-scale communities are coalescing into a larger “Network of Networks” that will share teachers, members, and resources to scale remedial spiritual and personal development.
  2. There is a big, unmet demand from mid-career professionals for purpose, embodiment, and real community, and these groups can grow quickly because people want human connection and transformation more than AI-generated content.
  3. Success depends on three things: strong, high-integrity founders and training; the flow of people, places, and capital between groups; and a curated content/tech stack plus deliberate funding that values embodied wisdom over commoditized intelligence.

On Pilgrimage with 20,000 Young Catholics

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1715 implied HN points • 26 Jul 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Community
  1. Many young Catholics are feeling a revival of interest in traditional practices and the Latin Mass. They find beauty and connection in these rituals.
  2. The pilgrimage to Chartres Cathedral is more than just a walk; it's a way for young people to seek something deeper and more meaningful in their lives.
  3. This trend shows that many young people are looking for ways to connect with their faith and community beyond the usual daily routines.

How We Decide Where To Build Our Lives

Culture Study • 4437 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. People often seek ideal living places that balance many factors, but what really matters is how close you are to people you already know. It's about community, not just a checklist of features.
  2. Building a community takes time and effort, so living in a place that helps you connect with others is essential. This could mean less pressure from work or parenting demands.
  3. When discussing places to live, it's important to share personal experiences and keep an open mind. Everyone's needs are different, and what works for one person might not work for another.

You Don’t Need the Same Politics to Surf Together

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1942 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. You can connect with people despite having different political views. Finding common interests, like surfing, can bridge those differences.
  2. Personal relationships can surprise you. Even if you think you won't get along, shared activities can create strong bonds.
  3. Disagreements are part of any relationship, but they can coexist with friendship. It's important to respect each other's differences while enjoying time together.

Friday Thread: How Have You Grown?

Culture Study • 1615 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. It's important to recognize the ongoing suffering in Gaza and to address it by naming the issues clearly. Ignoring such situations can make them seem less real or urgent.
  2. While many feel powerless to help, it's essential to keep discussing these matters and raising awareness among others.
  3. Personal growth can also involve reflecting on how we respond to global events and what actions we can take to support those in need.

How to build the perfect city

Chris Arnade Walks the World • 2094 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. People really need community to be happy and healthy. If they can't find good communities, they might turn to unhealthy ones.
  2. City planning is usually done by experts, and that's okay. However, these experts should understand the communities they are planning for and not be too removed from people's everyday lives.
  3. Culture shapes how cities are designed and how policies work. Good urban planning can help change culture for the better.

Vol. 2, Issue 29 - Interview with Serebii.net

Johto Times • 239 implied HN points • 18 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Serebii.net has been a key source of Pokémon news for 25 years and is trusted by the community. Joe Merrick, the founder, has dedicated his life to keeping it updated and relevant.
  2. Joe started the site out of boredom and a love for Pokémon, growing it through word of mouth and focusing on content that other sites missed about the Japanese side of Pokémon.
  3. He believes that while fans have strong opinions, developers know best about what works for the game. Joe actively engages with the community but maintains his independence to share his honest views.

Today I Wrote Nothing

Public Universal Friend • 59 implied HN points • 01 Sep 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Writing on Substack feels better than other social media. It encourages creativity and connection with people you know.
  2. The platform's design helps with writing, making it easy and rewarding to create. Watching your own writing grow is satisfying.
  3. A regular writing practice helps maintain a sense of community and keeps you engaged in your thoughts rather than being a passive consumer.

#The100DayProject starts on...

#The100DayProject Newsletter • 1788 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Community
  1. The next round of #The100DayProject begins on February 18th, giving a little over three weeks to prepare.
  2. Consider what you want to spend more/less time on, what excites you, and what skills you want to build for the project.
  3. Help spread the word about the project by forwarding the email to friends or telling creative communities.

How to Show Up For Your Friends Without Kids — and How to Show Up For Kids and Their Parents

Culture Study • 5719 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Community
  1. Many people feel left out or lonely, regardless of their life situation. It's important to remember that everyone has their own struggles and we should support each other instead of comparing who's worse off.
  2. People want and need help, but often don’t ask for it. We need to communicate better about how we can support each other in our daily lives.
  3. Building and maintaining friendships takes effort and can be messy. Sometimes it's not fun, but it's valuable because it helps us feel connected and cared for.