The hottest Mentorship Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Education Topics
The Trick Revealed 660 implied HN points 22 Mar 26
  1. Telling a real, vulnerable personal story made people finally understand what we were building.
  2. The core problem was emotional — helping people reconnect with loved ones — so solving that human need matters more than listing features.
  3. Admitting you don’t have all the answers can open doors; honest conversation and mentorship can be more valuable than chasing funding.
Sasha's 'Newsletter' 6558 implied HN points 23 Jul 25
  1. Being a grownup means knowing the life choices you're making and why you’re making them. It’s important to understand what role you’re playing in your life.
  2. Grownups are self-aware but also look beyond themselves. They learn from others while also sharing their own knowledge and experiences.
  3. It's essential for grownups to manage their relationships maturely, avoiding unnecessary drama and focusing on making positive changes in their lives and the lives of others.
Gad’s Newsletter 97 implied HN points 23 Feb 26
  1. Learning has three layers: domain knowledge (the what), methods (the how), and mindsets/wisdom (the why). Facts fade and methods need practice, but mindsets and wisdom endure and shape long-term judgment.
  2. AI will make domain knowledge and many techniques cheap and widely available, so educational time should be reinvested in mentorship, judgment, and mindset cultivation. AI can simulate scenarios to practice decision-making, but it can’t replace lived experience and human feedback.
  3. Durable learning requires spaced retrieval, varied practice, reflection, and apprenticeship, not just one-off content delivery. Classroom detours or 'rabbit holes' are often deliberate ways to build transferable judgment and help students learn when to trust a model and when to rely on intuition.
High Growth Engineer 1108 implied HN points 16 Nov 25
  1. Use the PREP framework to make strong arguments. Start with your main point, explain why it matters, give an example, and restate your point to make it memorable.
  2. The GROW framework helps you set clear goals and create action plans. It breaks down where you are now and what steps you need to take to reach your goal.
  3. Use BLUF to communicate effectively by starting with your key message first. This helps busy people get to the important part right away and stay focused.
The Intrinsic Perspective 9247 implied HN points 29 Oct 24
  1. Scientific progress relies heavily on mentorship and connections within a large academic network. Many successful scientists come from the same elite lineage.
  2. Certain families of scientists are particularly influential, as seen with many Nobel Prize winners tracing back to a small number of academic mentors.
  3. While some critique the system as elitist, having a productive cultural substructure in science can be beneficial, and it's important to support this environment for future breakthroughs.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
High Growth Engineer 642 implied HN points 30 Nov 25
  1. Staying updated on industry trends helps you make better decisions at work. Regularly reading articles can keep you informed and improve your skills.
  2. Organizing your reading materials into a special inbox can make it easier to find important articles. Using tools like split inboxes and email groupings can really cut down on your reading time.
  3. Taking action after reading is crucial. Simply saving what you've learned or adding tasks based on it can help you retain more information and apply it effectively in your job.
The American Peasant 2235 implied HN points 11 Feb 24
  1. Kale's story highlights the importance of having the right tools in woodworking that will last a lifetime without needing upgrades.
  2. Investing in high-quality, durable tools from the start can save time and money in the long run.
  3. Choosing tools based on functionality and quality over aesthetics or price can lead to better long-term satisfaction and efficiency in woodworking.
The ML Engineer Insights 359 implied HN points 22 Jun 24
  1. Building a strong foundation in machine learning fundamentals and staying updated with the latest research are crucial for success as a Machine Learning Engineer.
  2. Playing to your strengths, such as data and feature engineering, modeling, and deployment scalability, is key. Seek help in areas where you're less experienced.
  3. Focus on aligning your work with business goals, understanding trade-offs, ROI, and embracing experimentation. Continuous learning, networking, and mentorship are invaluable.
Escaping Flatland 2889 implied HN points 26 Jul 23
  1. Great ideas are fragile and can be easily killed by external influences like coworking spaces or groupthink.
  2. Solitude is crucial for creativity, allowing for the development of unique perspectives and groundbreaking work.
  3. Creative individuals are willing to linger in confusion, surfacing new questions rather than rushing to answers.
Fish Food for Thought 26 implied HN points 18 Feb 26
  1. A single clear sentence from a credible leader can reframe how someone sees themselves and send their career down a very different path.
  2. Powerful mentorship is often short and works by naming undervalued strengths, offering a new identity, and granting permission to act rather than giving long advice.
  3. Leaders should point out others’ potential because that recognition lowers barriers and compounds into bigger opportunities. People earlier in their careers should pay attention and act when a credible person reflects a new possibility for them.
Human Programming 51 implied HN points 05 Feb 26
  1. Deep knowledge combines lasting, rigorous ideas with true, detailed understanding instead of shallow, trendy consumption.
  2. People reach deep knowledge in different ways — sustained reading and practice, formal academic training and mentorship, or interdisciplinary applied work — but all involve lots of reading, writing, and hands-on experience.
  3. To build deep knowledge, pick subjects that feel solid and meaningful, find communities or mentors, and be willing to commit years of focused study and practical work rather than quick browsing.
Elena's Growth Scoop 864 implied HN points 06 Mar 23
  1. Every career is unique and deserves a visual representation beyond boring lists
  2. Create a career map to understand and appreciate the complexity of your professional journey
  3. Seek learnings over earnings, prioritize title progressions, and build a network of mentors to enhance your career options
High Growth Engineer 1462 implied HN points 03 Nov 24
  1. Always learn from your mistakes, as they can teach valuable lessons for your career. Embracing failure can help you grow and improve.
  2. Networking is important; make connections in your industry. Relationships often open doors to new opportunities and collaborations.
  3. Keep your skills updated and be open to new technologies. The tech field is constantly evolving, and staying current helps you stay relevant.
The New Internet by Jeff Morris Jr. 14 implied HN points 12 Feb 26
  1. You can move from operator to VC by building a public, trackable investing record and a clear thesis—start small with SPVs or angel checks and share your work openly.
  2. Traditional scout programs are broken: access is closed to insiders, scout performance is hidden, and the programs mainly create leverage for firms rather than career paths for scouts.
  3. A new season-based Scout Program aims to democratize access by letting anyone apply, giving each selected scout $100K, public profiles and leaderboards, and mentorship to help scouts build real track records and potentially raise funds.
Rob Henderson's Newsletter 1174 implied HN points 12 Dec 24
  1. Teams work better when everyone feels safe to share their thoughts, even if they disagree. Open conversations lead to better results.
  2. People today are less willing to stand out and are more afraid of criticism. This change might be due to the risks of being judged or isolated.
  3. In some primate species, females are promiscuous not just for pleasure but to protect their young. This behavior helps to avoid infanticide by keeping males guessing about paternity.
DruGroup 79 implied HN points 25 Jun 24
  1. It's important to choose a special group of leaders to invest in. When you invite them to be part of a select group, it makes them feel valued and noticed.
  2. Regular communication with your selected group helps them feel included and keeps them engaged. Sharing valuable insights can strengthen your connection with them.
  3. Connecting your leaders with each other can create new opportunities. They can work together and support each other in ways they might not have expected.
Tarot Offerings 668 implied HN points 18 Mar 23
  1. Words have multiple meanings, so it's important to understand each other's unique interpretation.
  2. Slowing down and diving deep into words can lead to better understanding between people.
  3. Being specific in storytelling can make characters more relatable and complex.
Original Jurisdiction 259 implied HN points 31 Jan 24
  1. Consider clerking after law school if you're planning to go into litigation - it's a valuable learning experience, helps build relationships, and is prestigious.
  2. If you plan to do multiple clerkships, consider clerking for different types of courts to gain varied experiences.
  3. Clerking might be less valuable if you're aiming to be a transactional lawyer, but clerking at the Delaware Court of Chancery could be more relevant to your career.
Can We Still Govern? 175 implied HN points 08 Aug 25
  1. Mentors can greatly influence our lives by encouraging us and helping us see possibilities we never considered. Their support can shape our careers and personal growth.
  2. Mentorship is not just about sharing knowledge but also about understanding the rules of a profession and building confidence in mentees. A simple word of encouragement can make a huge difference.
  3. Being a mentor takes time but can lead to life-changing impacts for those you help. It's important to recognize and appreciate the mentors you've had and the influence they had on your journey.
moontower: a stoner dad explains options trading to his kids 235 implied HN points 14 Jan 24
  1. Focus on being altruistic and a positive presence in the world, putting in the work and solving real problems.
  2. Believe in yourself to become the best version of yourself, even when faced with doubts.
  3. In a competitive investment landscape, understanding the job's challenges and rewards can help determine if it's the right fit for you.
FunkByteTech 59 implied HN points 01 Jun 24
  1. FunkByteTech offers fun projects to help you learn programming languages.
  2. The blog provides career tips and mentorship to advance in the tech industry.
  3. Stay updated on latest tech trends and listen to engaging conversations with engineers.
The Nelson George Mixtape 373 implied HN points 27 Sep 23
  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.
Of Boys and Men 173 implied HN points 25 Jul 25
  1. It's important to have male teachers in schools because they can serve as role models and mentors for boys. They can influence boys' development in many positive ways beyond just grades.
  2. The impact of male teachers on student academic success is mixed, meaning some studies show benefits while others don't. So, it's not just about grades; having diverse educators can help in other ways too.
  3. We shouldn't blame female teachers for the challenges boys face in school. Having more male teachers is about making the teaching workforce more balanced and representative, which is good for all students.
NN Journal 159 implied HN points 11 Feb 24
  1. A good novel can provide a mental escape, like a holiday for the brain.
  2. Success in writing often involves perseverance and seizing unexpected opportunities, as seen in author N V Peacock's journey.
  3. Collaborating with a writing community and mentors can be invaluable for aspiring writers to develop skills and navigate the publishing industry.
Perspectives 5 implied HN points 06 Feb 26
  1. Work can be a place to build deep, lasting community; coworkers often become friends and teammates who matter beyond the job.
  2. Friendships at work grow through small, regular acts: be generous, invest in coffee or quick check‑ins, and let people see you as a whole person.
  3. Tend relationships over time and be the person who convenes — stay in touch after people move on, celebrate them, and organize get‑togethers to create lasting support and opportunities.
SPARC '24 JC Blog 2 HN points 14 Sep 24
  1. TKS helped me find my drive and purpose, giving me the tools and encouragement to pursue my passions.
  2. Despite the positives, I struggled with pressure to conform to certain ideals, which sometimes felt overwhelming and isolating.
  3. It's important to trust your own feelings and values, and remember there are many paths to success that don't involve strict adherence to someone else's vision.
The Recovering Academic 178 implied HN points 19 May 23
  1. Young faculty members, like Sarah Trocchio, are facing challenges with work-life balance and feeling undervalued in academia, leading some to consider leaving the field.
  2. Sarah Trocchio's experience highlights the importance of aligning personal values with professional standards in academia to prevent burnout and disengagement.
  3. The future of higher education may depend on early-career faculty like Sarah Trocchio advocating for clearer work/life boundaries and self-care to prevent exploitation and burnout.
Innovation Nation 176 implied HN points 03 Aug 23
  1. Jim Bradford was a great and influential man at Owen.
  2. Even though George Patterson Sibble struggled in business school, Jim pushed him to excel.
  3. Jim was one of the many mentors who saw George's potential and helped him achieve perfection.
The Fairest Writer 179 implied HN points 13 Sep 23
  1. Writers benefit greatly from connecting with each other. Being part of a community can boost not only their careers but also their overall happiness.
  2. Networking doesn't have to be stressful. Forming relationships with fellow writers often happens naturally and can lead to valuable support and opportunities.
  3. Teaching and learning from others is important. Making friends with writers at all levels provides joy and insight, helping everyone grow in their writing journeys.
The Intersection 158 implied HN points 14 Aug 23
  1. A good boss motivates employees to reach new heights like a coach pushing a player to excel.
  2. Good bosses have a unique superpower that inspires admiration and aspiration in those they lead.
  3. Bosses who take decisive action, support their team, listen to their needs, show care, and admit mistakes create a positive and empowering work environment.
New Things Under the Sun 240 implied HN points 25 Nov 24
  1. Training scientists in low and middle income countries is important to build local research capacity. It helps researchers focus on relevant topics for their communities instead of relying solely on outside expertise.
  2. Programs like STAARS and EDCTP show that mentorship and international collaboration can lead to more research outputs and a change in research focus. Participants tend to publish more and get higher citations.
  3. Networking plays a big role in spreading knowledge among scientists. When trained researchers return home, they often share what they've learned, benefiting their peers and enhancing local research.
Bullfish Hole 58 implied HN points 10 Feb 24
  1. Donald Black made significant contributions to sociology with his theory on law and social control, providing a new perspective on understanding social reality.
  2. Donald Black was passionate about developing new ideas in sociology and was dedicated to ensuring the science of social life was explored thoroughly.
  3. Donald Black's work serves as a reminder of the true essence of sociology, focusing on explaining social conflicts rather than taking sides in moral debates.