Substacks recommended by Joy's House! (An Image Lab Joint)

Recommended by Joy's House! (An Image Lab Joint)

Research and reflections on religion, racial justice, & the moral work of protecting democracy. Hosted by NYT bestselling author Robert P. Jones, president/founder of PRRI.

Robert Jones is not just a brilliant pollster and demographer, he is a key expert on the origins and history of white Christian nationalism. His honesty and forthrightness on race is the balm we need to move this country forward. Highly recommended reading!

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The Western Edge

Journalism that cuts through.

Escalation Trap

By Prof Robert Pape

The Escalation Trap equips you with the frameworks to recognize when conflicts are shifting phases, anticipate the pressures driving escalation, and make clearer decisions before volatility hardens into irreversible commitments.

HEATED

By Emily Atkin

A newsletter for people who are pissed off about the climate crisis.

The Don Lemon Show

By Don Lemon

Don Lemon's Substack is a direct, unfiltered platform where Don breaks down politics, media, and culture with sharp analysis, personal perspective and unapologetic clarity. No network. No corporate sponsors. Just you and me.

The Hartmann Report

By Thom Hartmann

A Daily Newsletter of Renaissance Thinking about Progressive Politics, Economics, Science, and the Political News Issues of Our Day

One of my most important daily reads, from one of my absolute longtime favorite voices. Essential reading as the right tries to deconstruct our safety nets.

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The Convocation Unscripted

By Robert P. Jones

A collaborative Substack magazine and podcast featuring writing on faith, culture, and politics from award-winning authors Diana Butler Bass, Kristin Du Mez, Robert P. Jones, and Jemar Tisby.

Wide Awake America with Nadine Smith

Wide Awake America is an engaging, insightful, and solution-oriented program that explores urgent political, social, and cultural issues affecting democracy and civil rights.

What I'm Reading

By Phil Lewis

An award-winning newsletter that shares some of the most interesting and informative news stories about the Black experience in America. 2024 & 2026 Webby Award honoree.

Hopium Chronicles By Simon Rosenberg

Expert commentary from a 30-year veteran of US politics. Here at Hopium we work on strategies to defeat MAGA, tell our story more effectively, and ensure freedom and democracy prevail. Expect sharp analysis, live events, and all sorts of Hopium!

Gotta have hope!

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Hardball with Chris Matthews

Hardball is a show about politics, formerly on MSNBC, now exclusively on Substack, and it's going to be a little different.

Decoding Fox News

I watch all the Fox News you'd never want to.

Daniel Hodges

Abandon All Cope, Ye Who Enter Here

Almost Famous

By June Carryl

The scene behind the scenes

ALKEBULAN Discover The True Africa

By The Merc

Discover TRUE African History and Current Affairs with my weekly Newsletter and Podcast

My favorite source for real talk about the Global South and insights into Africa's many nations and political and cultural truths.

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The Message Box

By Dan Pfeiffer

A newsletter for people who want to defeat Donald Trump and MAGA extremism from a former Senior Advisor to Barack Obama

Off Message

By Brian

Because vigorous internal debate isn't a weakness—it's essential.

The Bulwark

The Bulwark is home to Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, Bill Kristol, JVL, Sam Stein, Catherine Rampell and more. We are the largest pro-democracy bundle on Substack for news and analysis on politics and culture—supported by a community built on good faith.

Tommy Christopher

White House press veteran. Writer/Editor for Mediaite. Longtime Rabble-Rousing Liberal.

Smart. Bold. Brilliant. Black.

This is where you need to be for the culture, for Black thought and the survival strategies we need in this moment. Just literally essential reading.

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The Left Hook with Wajahat Ali

By THE LEFT HOOK

A political, cultural, and intellectual playground for the rest of us with writer Wajahat Ali

We need loud, direct and clear voices in this moment. Waj is one of them. Highly recommend!

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MindWar: The Psychological War on Democracy

By Jim Stewartson

Writing, research and podcast for understanding and resisting the propaganda, psyops and malicious actors assaulting global liberal democracy. #IAmAntiFascist

Lev Remembers

By Lev Parnas

Author, public speaker, political activist, truth teller.

Dog Shirt Daily

By Benjamin Wittes

The #BeastOfTheDay Had to Go Somewhere

The Freedom Academy with Asha Rangappa

A Substack that explores how we can develop our "moral muscle" to stand up for democracy -- and each other -- in this critical moment. Plus insight and analysis at the intersection of law, national security, and the intelligence community.

Robert Reich

Daily newsletter exposing where power lies — and how it's used and abused

Truth, facts, data ... nuff said!

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Native Land Pod

Onward with Ava DuVernay

Exploring art, justice and the democratic imagination.

Turning Points

By Matthew Boedy

What are those moments when we decide individually and nationally that our status quo is not enough? Turning points.

Ahmed Baba News

Independent pro-democracy journalism, analysis, and commentary. Delivered to your inbox 2 to 4 times a week. Become a free or paid subscriber.

Dr. John Gartner's Substack

By Shrink Laugh

Co-host of "Shrinking Trump," a deep dive into the psychopathology of Trump and his followers, along with other important psychological topics.

Letters from an American

By Heather Cox Richardson

A newsletter about the history behind today's politics.

The Dworkin Report

By Scott Dworkin

Insight into national politics and elections from a seasoned and fearless independent journalist, delivered to your inbox daily so you can stay inspired and informed—while you push back on Trump and corporate media.

Fierce fighter for democracy, and a friend to the end. Recommended!

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Letters from God

By God

Deep thoughts from God and Jesus. Live shows Tuesdays & Thursdays at 2pm ET.

Sherrilyn’s Newsletter

By Sherrilyn Ifill

Civil Rights & American Democracy

Sherrilyn's legendary mind, shared with the world. Get in on this brilliance!

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The Good in Us by Mary L. Trump

By Mary L Trump

In which we come together to save American democracy, or at least have fun while trying.

ABJ

American Doom

By Justin Glawe

News, investigations and chronicles from the frontlines of America's wars against itself.

Great journalism ... occasional doom...

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The.Ink

By Anand Giridharadas

A newsletter on politics and culture, money and power -- telling the truth without fear -- from Anand Giridharadas

Keith Boykin

New York Times bestselling author of 7 books, former White House aide, co-founder of the National Black Justice Coalition. Based in Los Angeles.

Don't give in to the lies. Hold on to the truth!

Zeteo

By Mehdi Hasan

Zeteo is a new media organization that seeks to answer the questions that really matter, while always striving for the truth. Founded by Mehdi Hasan, Zeteo is a movement for media accountability, unfiltered news and bold opinions.

Fearless journalism, real talk and global insight. Just the medicine we need in this crucial and sometimes frightening time.

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Assembly Notes by Stacey Abrams

Assembly Notes is where I share ideas, stories, and strategies—from politics to writing to the work of building a better world.

Crucial information that we need in these desperate times!

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Scott MacFarlane Reports

Enterprise News 24/7. Exclusives, explanation and expertise. A strong democracy requires a strong and independent media. These are my unfiltered reports ... direct to you ..... in real-time.

No More Going High with Johnny

By Johnny Palmadessa

Your daily rundown of the good, the bad, and everything you need to know in politics.

History Can't Hide from Kahlil Greene

I share short "hidden history" lessons about Black, Native, Asian, and Latino American History. Subscribe if you want to know the truth about this country.

Rick Wilson’s Against All Enemies

Tireless resistance to autocracy. Never out of the fight.