Substacks recommended by Jen Zug | Pretend You're Good At It

Recommended by Jen Zug

Humorous, observational, sometimes irrelevant, always relatable parenthood non-advice.

Shelly is relatable and laugh-out-loud funny in her stories about parenting, marriage, and the weird things our bodies do to us.

- Jen Zug

Heretic Hereafter

By Katharine Strange

finding meaning after faith deconstruction

As someone who has a complicated relationship with The Church, I resonate deeply with all that Katharine is unpacking about her own spirituality.

- Jen Zug

Writing in Company

By Julie Hester

Writing prompts and more to help you pay attention to what matters, and use your words for healing and resilience.

Julie's writing prompts continue to inspire new stories for me to write, and I've been adding to my "ideas & drafts" folder consistently since I subscribed. Her prompts have a way of noodling into the deep recesses of my memories in the most delightful way. I'm so thankful to have found her newsletter!

- Jen Zug

Tales of a Wayward Yogini

By Sue Ferrera

Fostering healing, acceptance and joy.

I look forward to Sue's gentle thoughts and observations in my inbox each week. She is calm in the chaos.

- Jen Zug

The Editing Spectrum

By Amanda B. Hinton

Where guesswork ends and confident, data-informed iteration begins. Learn essential newsletter skills with expert editorial, marketing, and B2C guidance—one core theme at a time.

Earworms and Song Loops

By Steve Goldberg

The songs and bit-o'-songs that gets stuck in my head, worming to the digital surface, and inspiring a host of personal stories along the way.

I love the way music and stories feed my soul and provide a metaphor through which I can understand the world. If you’re the same way, you’ll enjoy Steve’s newsletter.

- Jen Zug

Never Retire: Living The Semi-Retired Life

By Rocco Pendola

Using my move to Spain to illustrate personal finance strategies designed to Live The Semi-Retired Life, this is a newsletter for those of us who will Never Retire.

Rocco is realistic about how Generation X in retirement will look vastly different from how our parents retired. We’re making different choices and have different opportunities available to us, financially. He offers personal insights and practical advice for how to plan for a future that doesn’t include a big pile of retirement funds waiting for us at 65.

- Jen Zug

Elderberries

By Avivah Wittenberg-Cox

Squeezing the juice from longer lives and careers. And sharing the lessons.

Avivah's 4-Quarter Lives podcast is inspiring me to think bigger and more creatively about entering my 3rd Quarter this year. Highly recommend.

- Jen Zug

On Repeat Records

By Kevin

A music newsletter & community for people tired of algorithms. Record reviews, interviews, and more.

I love the community Kevin is building through a shared love of music.

- Jen Zug