The hottest Influencers Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

March Media Madness: Determining America's Worst Podcaster

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 2269 implied HN points • 20 Mar 26
🎙 Podcasts Influencers
  1. It's a satirical bracket-style tournament that pits podcasters against each other so the most wrong or awful one advances, culminating in a live championship.
  2. Readers can help decide outcomes and submit terrible podcast pitches for a $1000 prize, with runners-up receiving merch prizes.
  3. The contest deliberately rewards sensationalism, mistakes, and cancel-culture theatrics, treating outrage and bad ideas as the event's main draw.

The Profile: The son trying to live up to his father’s NBA legacy & the fentanyl vaccine that would prevent overdoses

The Profile • 297 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Influencers
  1. Bronny James, son of LeBron James, faces big expectations as he tries to make his mark in the NBA. Many believe he might struggle under the pressure of living up to his father's legendary status.
  2. The influencer brothers known as the Baseball Bat Bros have become major players in the bat market, rivaling professional athletes. Through fun and engaging videos, they have turned their hobby into a successful brand.
  3. A new vaccine could help prevent overdoses from fentanyl, which has become a huge problem in recent years. This development offers hope for combating the opioid crisis and saving lives.

Dumbphone Owners Have Lost Their Minds

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2269 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. The logging-off movement around dumb phones is largely a marketed trend and, in many cases, a scam.
  2. A new industry has grown up selling expensive 'minimalist' phones and influencer-led digital detox courses to people who want to unplug.
  3. Much of the conversation is monetized—articles, courses, and subscriptions are gated behind paywalls or sold to audiences.

Louis Theroux’s Pointless Manosphere Documentary

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 166 implied HN points • 13 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. When people constantly perform for an online audience, probing interviews stop revealing hidden motives because nothing is concealed.
  2. Many manosphere influencers monetize and livestream their entire lives, creating a performative panopticon that resists deeper insight or critique.
  3. Scenes of influencers filming even personal crises show that perpetual self-documentation curtails meaningful discovery and makes traditional interviewing methods ineffective.

Should a Woman Have Nine Children? Or None?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 338 implied HN points • 06 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. Hannah Neeleman, the face of Ballerina Farm, is an influential social-media mom who at 35 now has nine children and sells food and lifestyle products online.
  2. She presents a polished, media-savvy image—using produced videos, ballet aesthetics, and product plugs—so her domestic life often doubles as marketing.
  3. Her large family and Mormon, Utah persona make her a polarizing figure, admired by some and criticized by others, and that tension fuels bigger questions about women’s choices and cultural expectations.
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The New Satanic Panic Is Here

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3553 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. There’s a new moral panic framing smartphones and social media as the root cause of teen mental health problems, echoing past mass-fear moments.
  2. The idea that phones, apps, and screen time directly cause rising teen anxiety and depression is being questioned as a simplified or false narrative.
  3. This debate is tied into broader internet and tech culture trends — from AI products and influencer fads to personal career shifts — showing the issue sits inside a larger cultural moment.

Being a Writer in the Age of the Influencer

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 5284 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
📚 Literature Influencers
  1. Writers today need to build a personal brand on social media to reach their audience effectively. Simply writing isn't enough; they must engage and connect with people online.
  2. Content creation is key for writers, but it shouldn't be just ads. Sharing interesting and entertaining posts helps build a loyal following and creates interest in their actual work.
  3. The landscape for writers has changed, with many preferring video and audio over reading. To succeed, writers have to adapt and become more versatile by using different media.

Ashley St Clair on trans rights, immigration, Elon and more

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 1731 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. Ashley St Clair, who built a large conservative following on culture‑war content, has recently been publicly speaking out about AI deepfakes and Elon Musk.
  2. The piece surveys current internet and creator‑economy trends — from liquid content and influencer doppelgangers to influencer lobbying, YouTube’s “vibecession,” viral pricey products, Gen Z travel hotspots, and China’s hottest apps.
  3. It highlights how influencer-driven media and personality-led platforms can channel political ideas and lobbying, creating a ‘red pill’ style pipeline around topics like trans rights and immigration and involving figures such as Nigel Farage.

Why Conservative Influencers Can't Stop Talking About Brooklyn Beckham

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 1104 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. Right-wing influencers quickly weaponized Brooklyn Beckham's Instagram post, casting Nicola Peltz as a villain and comparing the situation to Meghan Markle while framing Brooklyn as a ‘Prince Harry 2.0’.
  2. The backlash reveals how people react when men set boundaries with powerful families — society often blames women for men’s choices and leans into boy-mom culture and gendered narratives.
  3. Tabloids, PR machines, and online influencers distort celebrity drama into smear campaigns and digital propaganda, manufacturing moral panic to control the story.

De-Influencing De-Influencing

The Unpublishable • 8471 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Influencers
  1. The beauty industry often thrives on flawed products to drive innovation and optimization.
  2. De-influencing trend may not substantially change consumer behavior in the beauty industry.
  3. De-influencing is essentially influencing in a different guise, showcasing the blurred line between consumers, influencers, and corporations.

How a Kidfluencer Became an OnlyFans Star

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 264 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. A former child social-media star moved to OnlyFans soon after turning 18, posting sexualized photos and offering nudes behind paywalls.
  2. She was raised and promoted by a hands-on, controversial mother, which has fueled public concern that her childhood career involved exploitation.
  3. She frames the move as her choice and a way to stay relevant, and she uses VIP tiers and tipping to monetize erotic content.

Why Democrats won't build their own Joe Rogan

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 10689 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Influencers
  1. The right has built a strong network of influencers who promote their message, but the left lacks similar support and reach in media.
  2. Conservative content creators often receive substantial funding and institutional backing, allowing them to grow rapidly and gain credibility.
  3. The Democratic Party seems uninterested in fostering a progressive media ecosystem, making it hard for left-leaning influencers to compete.

The best and worst of London food (media) in 2025

Vittles • 284 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
🍲 Food & Drink Influencers
  1. Traditional food media is shrinking because journalists are poorly paid and often have to rely on free meals, which makes it hard for them to write truly critical, independent reviews.
  2. Influencers now dominate food culture and are expanding into real-world ventures, but their power is fragile since platform algorithms and tech changes can quickly wipe out reach and income.
  3. A hopeful trend is owner-operated, low-overhead restaurants moving from homes into small spaces and focusing on a few authentic dishes; these independent places need discovery and support to thrive.

I interviewed the Jubilee CEO on platforming bigotry

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2149 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. Jubilee is a popular YouTube channel known for its debate-style videos. They cover a wide range of topics, including sensitive issues like body image and political beliefs.
  2. The CEO of Jubilee has shared that they have a big team and a large office in Los Angeles, which helps them produce high-quality content consistently.
  3. One of their videos, featuring a debate between a Republican and multiple Kamala Harris voters, became one of the most-watched pieces during the last election, showing their influence in online discussions.

Everyone is crazy now

benn.substack • 1866 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. Social media makes it harder to stand out because everyone's competing for attention, which pushes people to do more outrageous things. It used to be enough to be funny in your school, but now you have to beat out crazy content from around the world.
  2. Getting attention can lead to unmanageable fame, where people lose their identity trying to stay in the spotlight. This chase for likes and fame can become addictive, and people often find themselves doing extreme things to keep up.
  3. Attention has become a new kind of power. Nowadays, influencers have more impact on society and politics than they did before, and many leaders are gaining their positions by attracting big audiences online instead of traditional paths.

OnlyFans billboards are taking over

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2926 implied HN points • 31 May 25
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. OnlyFans is becoming more popular, with millions of creators joining the platform each year. This increase is leading to more billboards advertising these creators.
  2. Billboards are a smart way for OnlyFans stars to get noticed because they bypass strict online advertising rules for adult content. They can reach a wide audience without being ignored.
  3. Creators have seen big boosts in subscribers from their billboards, showing that this advertising method can really work in gaining attention and revenue.

Elon Musk's secret alt?

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 4777 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Influencers
  1. There are claims that Elon Musk might be using a secret Twitter account named Adrian Dittmann to defend himself. Many believe this account has a similar style and voice to Musk.
  2. Some people say they've heard proof that Dittmann is actually Musk's burner account, but the credibility of such claims is questionable.
  3. Regardless of whether Adrian is Musk or not, it raises interesting questions about social media and the behavior of public figures online.

Why fashion influencers are pivoting to Substack

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 274 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Influencers
  1. Fashion influencers are moving to Substack to earn more money through subscriptions and reliable audience reach. This shift helps them avoid the unpredictability of social media algorithms like Instagram’s.
  2. YouTube is becoming a big player for creators, allowing them to earn through memberships and ads as they publish content like audiobooks. This helps authors gain a following while generating revenue.
  3. The focus for media publishers is shifting from growing their audience size to keeping readers engaged longer. By increasing how many articles a visitor reads, they can boost revenue and encourage subscriptions.

DashCon 2.0 + Gen Z mall mania

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3881 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. Many Gen Z folks are excited to explore new experiences and prefer living in cities with remote work options. They want flexibility and are not very focused on settling down.
  2. There is a growing interest among Gen Z in influencers, but some see them as small business owners trying to achieve financial stability, leading to more conservative views in certain cases.
  3. Gen Z is bringing a new life to malls, primarily using them for socializing. However, the interest is still linked to online culture and social media rather than a full comeback for traditional shopping.

Inside Candace Owens plans to dominate women's media

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3642 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Influencers
  1. Candace Owens is starting a new women's media brand called Club Candace. It will focus on traditional values and aims to empower young mothers with various content and community support.
  2. Owens believes many women are unhappy with modern feminist ideals and traditional gender roles. She wants to promote a lifestyle centered around motherhood and family.
  3. Despite her pro-motherhood stance, Owens opposes policies like paid maternity leave and universal childcare. This creates a clash as many people support better benefits for working mothers.

Charlotte Stavrou: Influencers and Entrepreneurship

Danielle Newnham • 19 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🎙 Podcasts Influencers
  1. Charlotte Stavrou shares how her childhood shaped her determination and drive as an entrepreneur. She believes that personal experiences can greatly influence one's work ethic.
  2. She discusses her recent dyslexia diagnosis and how it helped her feel more complete, as the education system made her feel inadequate before.
  3. Many founders are starting to become influencers now, partly due to the changes brought by COVID-19. Charlotte's agency provides insights on how influencers can better price their services.

Let's check in on MrBeast

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3732 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. MrBeast, a huge YouTuber, is facing a lot of controversies that could hurt his career. Allegations about his team and business practices have made people question his character.
  2. He’s trying to fix his public image by doing interviews and promoting his new Amazon show. He wants to reassure fans and investors that everything is okay.
  3. The way he handles this situation is important for his future. If he fails, it could change how people see him and affect his many business deals.

Going viral sucks (even more) now

Embedded • 2103 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. Going viral on social media can be overwhelming and invite negative comments from strangers.
  2. Social media algorithms are pushing creators to reach a wider audience, sometimes at the expense of their mental health.
  3. Apps prioritizing reaching strangers over engaging with followers can make social media use traumatizing.

An influencer is suing another influencer for copying her aesthetic. Can she win?

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3463 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. An influencer is suing another influencer for copying her style and content. This case could change how online creators protect their unique aesthetics.
  2. The lawsuit raises questions about whether copying someone's visual vibe should be legally protected. Many experts think the original influencer's claim may not hold up in court.
  3. Similarities among creators are common online, but some influencers are frustrated with others who imitate their content too closely. This case could impact how influencers navigate creative boundaries.

Elon Musk the dadfluencer + The female creator safety tax

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2508 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. Elon Musk is trying to change how people see him by showing himself as a caring dad. He brings his son to public events to create a more relatable image.
  2. Female creators face higher safety costs than male creators, often needing to spend a lot of money to protect themselves from threats like doxxing and stalking.
  3. Spotify's influence on music has changed how artists create and how listeners enjoy music. The platform's algorithms have reshaped music production and industry dynamics.

Meme-company

benn.substack • 997 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Influencers
  1. The role of software engineers is changing as AI improves, shifting from coding to managing and overseeing AI tasks. This means that skills like project management and having good taste are becoming more important.
  2. Companies can succeed through clever marketing and creating buzz rather than just building the best product. Sometimes, getting awareness before having a good product is the smart move in tech.
  3. In today's world, being a celebrity or influencer can drive success in technology, similar to the art world. People care about the creators more than the specific products, so having a strong personal brand can be very valuable.

TikTokers are spreading North Korean propaganda to sell supplements

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3582 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. Some TikTok users are sharing North Korean stories to promote supplements. They claim life in North Korea is better than in the U.S.
  2. These videos often use AI-generated images and stories to grab attention and sell products. They can be bizarre and hard to believe.
  3. After being reported, many of the accounts promoting this content were taken down, but some continue to operate and push these products.

Group chats, AI girlfriends and algorithmic culture

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 838 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. Mormon women have had a significant impact on internet culture, particularly through the popularization of products like the Stanley tumbler.
  2. The shift in caffeine consumption among Mormons in 2012 led to the growth of a soda culture, influencing trends like 'dirty sodas' and impacting products like Stanley tumblers.
  3. Mormon women's strong emphasis on family, combined with the openness of the internet, allowed them to become influential mommy bloggers and shape internet content with a focus on lifestyle and family values.

15 things Mallory consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 646 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. Mallory shared her weekly experiences by listing 15 things she consumed, offering a personal glimpse into her life. It's a fun way to connect with readers and show what interests her.
  2. The format of sharing personal pieces, like influences or habits, encourages community and engagement among readers. It makes the content relatable and conversational.
  3. The post highlights the trend of personal storytelling in blogs, making content feel more intimate. Readers often enjoy seeing the everyday lives of others, which helps build a connection.

The ‘Black Insurrectionist’ account is run by a white man

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2627 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Influencers
  1. A social media account promoting false theories about politics is actually managed by a white man pretending to be Black. This raises concerns about transparency in the online creator space.
  2. People are becoming more critical of wealthy influencers flaunting their luxuries, showing a shift towards less tolerance for excessive consumption.
  3. There's a growing pattern of conspiracy theories on both sides of the political spectrum, highlighting how misinformation can spread among different groups.

One of YouTube's biggest channels is opening a massive production studio

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2000 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. Alan Chikin Chow is opening a large 10,000-square-foot studio in Los Angeles to create content for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. This shows how creators can compete with big Hollywood studios.
  2. His YouTube series, 'Alan's Universe', is really popular, getting millions of views with stories aimed at a young audience, especially girls. It combines K-drama themes with relatable storylines.
  3. Alan wants to expand 'Alan's Universe' into movies, TV shows, and more, showing that content creation is changing and that anyone with a good idea and the right skills can succeed.

The Thread Vibes Are Off

Culture Study • 6437 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. Different social media platforms have distinct norms and purposes.
  2. Threads, a new social media platform, is struggling to blend Instagram vibes with a Twitter format.
  3. Users are finding that content from Instagram influencers feels out of place on Threads.

The Brazilian Model Who Wants America to Go Nuclear

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 357 implied HN points • 19 Aug 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Influencers
  1. Isabelle Boemeke, a Brazilian model, used to feel very anxious about the environment. Now, she focuses on promoting nuclear energy as a solution.
  2. Many young people, like Ella Emhoff, experience climate anxiety and find it overwhelming. They are looking for ways to cope and respond to these feelings.
  3. Boemeke wants to change the conversation around nuclear energy to help reduce eco-anxiety and encourage younger generations to embrace it.

The mainstream media is no longer mainstream

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 474 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
💼 Business Influencers
  1. Social media has become the main source of news for many Americans, replacing traditional TV. This means independent media now plays a bigger role in shaping public interest and discussions.
  2. Streaming services have officially surpassed traditional TV in viewership. This shift makes it easier for these platforms to become profitable as they continue to attract more and more viewers.
  3. Whatnot, a live shopping app, is gaining popularity and showing that video shopping can work in the U.S. It's interesting to see how social media influencers can generate sales in real-time, something that's been popular in Asia for a while.

2025 was the year we lived alt-2016 and debated everything.

The Social Juice • 73 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Influencers
  1. Algorithms and AI sped up and broke culture into smaller silos, turning niche memes into fast, disposable content and forcing people to invent codes and private signals to keep communities intact.
  2. People and brands learned to play the attention game — using keywords, hidden messaging, anti‑AI posturing, and even ragebait — which moved us from naming neat trends to living in messy, performative moments.
  3. The year felt full of ambient anxiety about jobs, health, and loneliness, so many people leaned into escapism, nostalgia, small communities, and a gambling mentality where every choice felt like a risk.