#increase substack subscribers

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Where can you buy the new Substack Mastery book for freelance writers authored by Dr Mehmet Yildiz?

Substack Mastery: Insider Secrets from a Content Strategist & Seasoned Author: Learn the Basics, Stay Motivated, Grow Your Paid Subscribers, & Thrive with a Community. 

Check out the official page at digitalmehmet.com!

You can find future updates on my Content Strategy, Development, & Marketing Insights

I provide discounted books on my Patreon page.

I also update my readers on Medium.

[is-dracula-daily-today]

Hi! I've been meaning to ask, do you know if they release the emails at a specific time each day?

And is it a standard timing, or does it change according to each entry? (EG: May 4th @ 0000 exactly or August 15th, 5:38pm)

Hello!

Last year, initially the emails came at a fairly consistent time of around 11.45am GMT (this blog always posts at 11am GMT). This got more variable after a few months.

This year, my first three emails have arrived at 11.51, 12.19, and 12.55.

So unfortunately, I can't give any guidance as to when to expect the latest missive from our dear friends.

[vomitdodger]

There’s the details on the “slight��� increase of adverse effects making the airwaves.

As always the details and methods matter. They ONLY looked at 13 specific events. Died suddenly was not one of them. And then they made those events as conservatively interpreted as possible.

And the events are not “slight”.

Link to the actual study is in the article above. Cut and paste of substack article below but the very alarming charts and graphs are not shown

Vigilant News

Subscribe

Largest Vaccine Study Ever Reveals What the “Conspiracy Theorists” Have Said All Along

Despite claims that the increased risks of developing serious health conditions are “small” and “extremely rare,” it’s best to take a look for yourself.

THE VIGILANT FOX

FEB 23, 2024

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Scientists have found MASSIVE increased risks of developing several serious health conditions post-jab.

But headlines suggest the increased risk factors post-shot are “small” and “extremely rare.”

This study conducted by the Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN) looked at a cohort of 99 million vaccinated individuals.

The risks of developing 13 adverse events of special interest (AESI) were compared to what was expected based on pre-COVID-19 vaccination healthcare data, or in simpler terms, if you did not receive the jab.

Despite claims that the increased risks of developing such conditions are “small” and “extremely rare,” it’s best to take a look for yourself (image via Daily Mail).

Moderna (1st Dose):

• Swelling of the brain and spinal cord: Almost four times (400%) increased risk

• Myocarditis: 3.48 times increased risk

• Pericarditis: 1.74 times increased risk

• Myocarditis (Second shot): 6.1 times increased risk

AstraZeneca:

• Blood clots: 3.23 times (320%) increased risk

• Guillain–Barré syndrome (could lead to paralysis): 2.49 times increased risk

• Pericarditis (Third Dose): 6.91 times increased risk

Pfizer:

• Myocarditis (First Dose): 2.78 times increased risk

• Myocarditis (Second Dose): 2.86 times increased risk

• Myocarditis (Third Dose): 2.09 times increased risk

Moderna (Further doses beyond the first):

• Myocarditis from the second shot: 6.1 times increased risk

• Pericarditis (Fourth Dose): 2.64 times increased risk

• Myocarditis from the third Dose: 2.01 times increased risk

Most of the above risk factors are calculated based on a single dose. When you consider many people took three shots or more, the results of the study become even more alarming.

Listen to what Del Bigtree, host of The Highwire, had to say:

"And they're not even talking about cancer ... but how about this? You're like, well, only six times the amount of myocarditis. But if you add that six times to the two or three times for myocarditis. And what about the blood clots and stroke? What happens?

"They're not just six by themselves. They all stack up. What are we, like, 20 times the amount of risk for getting totally jacked up by this vaccine? And they're only just starting the list.

"And trust me, the scientists did everything they could to make this as conservative as they possibly could because no one wants to be responsible for, God forbid, say, we need to recall a vaccine."

[rkb]

Call for personal essay submissions for Open Secrets

My Substack magazine Open Secrets just posted a call for personal essay submissions! ALL the details are in the post linked above but the highlights:

Open only to Open Secrets subscribers (free or paid) because I was getting lots of AI and other non-appropriate submissions that are a waste of everyone's time

Looking for 1,000-2,000 word unpublished personal essays in these categories: Work, Stuff-ed (about our complicated relationship with our belongings), Relationships, Parenting and Family, LGBTQIA+, Physical Health, Mental Health, and Grief

Pays $50/essay (wish this was more but this is what I, a regular, non-rich person, can afford - if we get a huge influx of paid subscribers I will increase this payment in the future)

Authors retain rights

PLEASE SHARE WIDELY! Your support and readership help keep Open Secrets going.

Also: Don't like these guidelines? Don't submit. Anyone can start a magazine on Substack or your preferred publication. All the tools are at your disposal. Be the change you want to see in the writing world. That's what I've always done and there's no barriers to entry now except time and internet access.

[milkplusvn]

Soundless AA: Double Up Your Order

Tip: You can get posts like this sent directly to your e-mail by subscribing to the Substack, or sent to you 1 day earlier by subscribing to the Patreon!

On a PC, these buttons look comically large. On a phone, they’re shaping up to be just the right size.

As usual, we’re providing a weekly update as proof of life more than anything else. In fact, today I have to stop what I’m doing with Soundless to go and fight with a webdev environment program so I can finally complete a job. Fun stuff!

I compiled a delta build of the Android version to put on my phone so I can see what needs to be focused on on actual hardware, since Soundless was originally developed with PC-only in mind. Through this, I determined that a lot of buttons and text need size increases, even text/buttons that I didn’t think needed it at first. It’s possible that the Android version of Soundless will have all of its big NVL pages split in half so that it’s easy for phone users to read. You can see me in the middle of button size increases on that screenshot up there; the navigation is even nicely enlarged now.

I am cooking up a release date in my head! We’re thinking late November, so long as the game testing doesn’t take too long.

Mobile Port Progress

User Interface

NVL window graphic complete

Transition images extended

Menu item positions readjusted.

You can play Soundless with brand new art for PC right now!

[sulfurousdreamscapes]

4 stories a month for my weekly story Substack has become untenable for me. This is for a couple of reasons:

The quality of my stories has increased a lot when it comes to plotting and planning, and I find a week too short now when it comes to working on the stories

Other commitments have increased

Therefore, I'm going to dial the Substack down to 1 story a month, priced at $1/month. It's simple, and it's better for me and you, although it means paying more per story.

It's best to get this move down early on, while I have a smaller number of subscribers.

Everyone with an existing sub will be offered refunds.

Thank you all for bearing with me! I look forward to continued adventures in storytelling shenanigans.

[watchworldlive]

Mike Goodnough Net Worth: The Writer and His Career Explored

Mike Goodnough is one of those relatively unknown celebrities who have risen to the attention of the general public with his relationship to a famous actress and TV host, Valerie Bertinelli. As interest in his personal life increases, it would seem fair to say that quite a number of people will go on to be interested in knowing Mike Goodnough's net worth, his professional background, and the details of his career. This article tries to discuss who Mike Goodnough is, his career, and provides an estimated net worth analysis based on available information.

Who is Mike Goodnough?

Mike Goodnough is a 53-year-old writer and a former marketing and strategic professional. He is known for his lifestyle commentary and writings on Substack; he maintains a newsletter called "Hoarse Whisperings." The topics are lifestyle-focused reflective pieces and personal accounts, through which he has gained a small but dedicated following. Born and raised on the East Coast of the United States, Mike has had a career spanning several industries: marketing, strategic consulting, and writing. Of late, he rose to fame because of his relationship with Valerie Bertinelli, who is a favorite in the entertainment industry. But Mike's professional life stands independent of his personal relations, and his contributions he has made stand for themselves in writing and marketing.

Early Career in Marketing and Strategy

Mike Goodnough started his professional journey with career work in marketing and strategy that helped him in gaining significant understanding of the business dynamics. His work in this field involved the formulation and execution of strategic marketing campaigns, brand building, and working toward the enhancement of market reach. The career in marketing provided him with a sound financial base and a skill set he later used in managing his ventures.

Transition to Writing

While Mike had a very successful career in marketing, his true passion seemed to be writing. He went on to write full-time, focusing on lifestyle commentary. His newsletter, "Hoarse Whisperings," gives insight into his thoughts and life experiences. This is a Substack publication that has launched him into regard as an introspective and insightful writer. While not as large as many mainstream publications, his work has captured a niche audience that prizes personal and reflective stories such as his.

Substack Success: Hoarse Whisperings

Substack is a platform where independent writers can get paid for their work through subscriptions. "Hoarse Whisperings" ranges from personal thoughts and musings on social issues to the latest trend in contemporary living. Though the exact subscriber number for his newsletter is not disclosed, this monetization model does indicate that he is generating income from the effort quite modestly but constantly. Writers on Substack stand to make pretty decent, even life-changing money if they amass a large paying subscriber base. It's doubtful that Mike is one of the top-paid writers on Substack, but judging by his dedication to and, thus, growing list of readers, he certainly has something resembling a regular income sourced from writing.

Mike Goodnough’s Relationship with Valerie Bertinelli

The name Mike Goodnough gained notoriety in April 2024 when he confirmed his romantic relationship with actress Valerie Bertinelli. Actress and TV personality Bertinelli is best known for her leading performances in the popular series One Day at a Time and Hot in Cleveland. It was after revealing his relationship that Mike started to be noticed by people. While much of the public focus has been on their relationship, Mike has continued to focus on his writing. The relationship has undoubtedly helped raise his profile but Mike is careful to maintain his professional identity as a writer and commentator.

Estimating Mike Goodnough's Net Worth

Income Sources

Mike Goodnough's net worth is a product of multiple streams of revenue. He has had income from: Marketing and Consulting: Indeed, his career at the beginning earned a lot from marketing and strategic consulting. Depending on the clients and industries that he took his services to, marketing specialists working in the United States have salaries ranging from $80,000 to $150,000 annually, basing on experience and seniority.

For the last few years, Substack has been his primary source of income. Most Substack newsletters are powered by paid subscribers, and the writers get to take most of the cash subscribers pay them. It doesn't reveal the subscriber numbers, but other authors at Substack with as small, yet committed an audience as he gets, generate between $10 000 to $30 000 in subscription revenue annually.

Personal Projects: With experience in marketing and business strategy, Mike is also a writer who could supplement his income through consulting gigs, speaking engagements, or freelance writing projects. Whatever he might be doing on this score, there is scant information in the public domain.

Estimated Net Worth

From the background presented, to determine with a degree of certainty the exact amount constituting Mike Goodnough's net worth is challenging; an educated estimation can be done, though. Early Marketing Career: A career in marketing and strategic consulting probably enabled him to save up some money and build assets. The average salary of a marketer is estimated to be within the range of $80,000 to $150,000 per year. With this salary range, Mike was able to save a good amount throughout his working years in the field. Assuming he worked in marketing for at least ten years, that could come out to a nest egg of approximately $500,000 to $1 million.

Substack and Writing: Generally, Substack writers make money through subscriptions. Assuming he has a modest but growing following, Mike alone in writing can make between 10,000 and 30,000 dollars in a year. This should add up to the money he had saved from the beginning of his career. Personal Assets: Like any professional, Mike could have invested in property, retirement funds, and other financial instruments that add to his net worth today. Taking everything into account, Mike Goodnough's net worth may be in the range of $500,000 to $1.5 million. This is just an assumption based on his career earnings and the current lifestyle that he has been leading, but it speaks of financial stability he more likely is in.

Future Career Prospects

The more high-profiled Mike Goodnough gets, his avenue opens towards a number of possibilities that can get him further ahead in his career along with net worth.

Extending Writing Career

With his Substack newsletter's success, Mike may eventually work his writing onto other platforms or genres. Alternatively, he could work with larger media outlets, publish a book, or take up public speaking. Given the truly thoughtful nature of his commentary and the unique voice he expresses it in, mainstream exposure would not be out of the question for him.

Media Appearances

With his relationship with Valerie Bertinelli, Mike can be lined up for interviews, podcasts, and co-hosting TV programs. Most writers and commentators make use of media appearances to raise their profiles, which would add to his income.

Consulting Opportunities

With his background in marketing and strategy, Mike could also consider returning to consulting on a freelance or project basis. His expertise would be valuable for companies looking for strategic guidance in the digital age.

Conclusion

Mike Goodnough is a very talented writer and strategic thinker, coming from a rich career in marketing and an ever-growing presence as a lifestyle commentator. Of course, his relationship with Valerie Bertinelli made him public news, but he stands on his own professionally. With his Mike Goodnough net worth not really known, a yardstick would place it between $500,000 and $1.5 million based on his career history and current writing.

With his writing career on the rise and most of his personal life under scrutiny, there is no doubt that the net worth and influence of Mike Goodnough will increase manifold over successive years. Whether it be through the means of his Substack newsletter or through some other means entirely, Mike is sure to attain further success in the world of writing and media.

[grin4987]

What is the Creator Economy and How Does it Work?

The Creator Economy, a term that's rapidly gaining traction, refers to the burgeoning ecosystem where individuals—referred to as creators—leverage digital platforms to produce, distribute, and monetize their content. This economy is fueled by advancements in technology and shifts in consumer behavior, and it encompasses a wide range of activities, from blogging and vlogging to podcasting and live streaming. In essence, the Creator Economy allows individuals to transform their passions and talents into sustainable income streams, challenging traditional economic models and offering new opportunities for creativity and entrepreneurship.

The Emergence of the Creator Economy

The roots of the Creator Economy can be traced back to the rise of the internet and social media platforms in the early 2000s. Websites like YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter democratized content creation, enabling anyone with an internet connection to share their ideas with a global audience. The proliferation of smartphones further accelerated this trend, providing creators with powerful tools for content production and distribution.

In the past decade, this phenomenon has matured into a full-fledged economy. Platforms like TikTok, Twitch, and Substack have carved out niches in this landscape, each catering to different forms of content and engagement. As these platforms evolved, they introduced features and monetization options that empowered creators to generate revenue directly from their content and interactions with their audiences.

How the Creator Economy Works

1. Content Creation and Distribution

At its core, the Creator Economy revolves around content creation. Creators produce various types of content, including videos, blog posts, podcasts, and social media updates. The choice of medium often depends on the creator’s expertise and the preferences of their target audience. Platforms like YouTube are ideal for long-form video content, while Instagram and TikTok cater to short-form videos and images.

Once created, content is distributed through these platforms, which often provide tools for audience engagement and analytics. Creators use these features to build and maintain their following, engaging with their audience through comments, likes, and shares. This engagement is crucial, as it helps increase visibility and attract new followers.

2. Monetization Strategies

Monetization is a key aspect of the Creator Economy. Creators can generate income through several avenues:

Ad Revenue: Many platforms, such as YouTube and Twitch, offer ad revenue sharing programs. Creators earn money based on the number of views or clicks their content receives. This model incentivizes creators to produce engaging content that attracts a large audience.

Sponsorships and Brand Deals: As creators build their audiences, they often attract the attention of brands looking to reach specific demographics. Sponsorships involve creators promoting a brand’s products or services in exchange for payment. These deals can be lucrative and often involve long-term partnerships.

Subscription Models: Platforms like Patreon and Substack allow creators to offer exclusive content to subscribers who pay a recurring fee. This model provides a steady income stream and fosters a closer relationship between creators and their supporters.

Merchandise Sales: Many creators sell branded merchandise, such as t-shirts, mugs, and other products, to their fans. This not only generates additional revenue but also helps in building a stronger brand identity.

Crowdfunding: Creators can use platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe to fund specific projects or initiatives. Crowdfunding allows creators to gather financial support from their audience in advance, often in exchange for rewards or early access to content.

3. The Role of Technology

Technology plays a pivotal role in the Creator Economy. Advances in digital tools and platforms have lowered the barriers to entry for content creation. High-quality cameras, editing software, and social media management tools are more accessible than ever, enabling creators to produce professional-grade content with relatively low investment.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics also enhance the Creator Economy. AI tools assist with content creation, from automated video editing to generating captions and thumbnails. Data analytics provide insights into audience behavior, helping creators refine their strategies and improve engagement.

4. Challenges and Opportunities

While the Creator Economy presents numerous opportunities, it also comes with challenges. The market is highly competitive, with millions of creators vying for attention in a crowded space. Standing out requires creativity, consistency, and a deep understanding of audience preferences.

Another challenge is the reliance on platform algorithms and policies. Creators are subject to the rules and changes implemented by the platforms they use, which can impact their reach and revenue. Additionally, issues like content moderation and platform transparency can affect creators' ability to effectively engage with their audiences.

Despite these challenges, the Creator Economy offers significant potential. It empowers individuals to pursue their passions, build personal brands, and achieve financial independence. The continuous evolution of technology and digital platforms suggests that the Creator Economy will only grow and diversify, creating new opportunities for creators and businesses alike.

Conclusion

The Creator Economy represents a dynamic and rapidly evolving sector where individuals transform their creativity and skills into economic value. By leveraging digital platforms and innovative monetization strategies, creators can reach global audiences and generate sustainable income. While challenges exist, the opportunities for growth and innovation in this space are vast. As technology continues to advance and the digital landscape evolves, the Creator Economy is poised to play an increasingly prominent role in the global economy.

[kristenbrady]

Converting Free Subscribers to Paid Subscribers on Substack: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you a Substack writer looking to monetize your newsletter and convert your free subscribers into paid subscribers? This blog post is here to help you do just that! In this guide, I will explore effective strategies to engage and incentivize your audience, ultimately driving them to become paying subscribers.

1. Create Valuable Content

The key to converting free subscribers into paying subscribers is to consistently deliver high-quality content that adds value to their lives. Offer exclusive insights, expert advice, or in-depth analysis that they won’t find anywhere else. Make sure to stay true to your niche and provide a unique perspective that sets you apart from competitors.

Want To Experience Hypergrowth of Your Substack Newsletter? Try These Tactics.

Be the next Lenny Rachitsky!

medium.com

2. Showcase the Benefits of Paid Subscription

One of the best ways to convert free subscribers is to clearly communicate the benefits they will receive by becoming paid subscribers. Highlight premium features such as access to exclusive content or member-only perks. Use persuasive language to emphasize the value and advantages they gain by upgrading to a paid subscription.

3. Offer Limited-time Promotions

Running limited-time promotions can create a sense of urgency and motivate free subscribers to take the leap and become paid subscribers. Consider offering discounts, free trials, or special bonuses for those who upgrade within a certain time frame. These promotions can entice your audience and provide an extra push towards conversion.

Use a Newsletter Referral Program on Substack to Increase Subscriber Growth

Slow subscriber growth on Substack? Try these tips.

medium.com

4. Engage with Your Subscribers

Building a genuine connection with your subscribers is essential. Make an effort to interact with them regularly, whether it’s through responding to comments, hosting live Q&A sessions, or sending personalized emails. Show them that you value their support and appreciate their engagement. This personal touch can significantly increase the likelihood of converting free subscribers to paid subscribers.

5. Leverage Social Proof and Testimonials

Human psychology naturally gravitates toward social proof. Utilize this to your advantage by showcasing positive testimonials and reviews from satisfied paid subscribers. This social validation can build trust and credibility, convincing your free subscribers of the value they will receive by upgrading their subscriptions.

6. Create Exclusive Content for Paid Subscribers

To incentivize free subscribers to upgrade, provide exclusive content that is only accessible to paid subscribers. This could include bonus articles, interviews, behind-the-scenes content, or special offers. By creating a premium experience, you give them a compelling reason to become paying subscribers.

7. Engage in Email Marketing

Email marketing is a powerful tool for converting free subscribers into paid subscribers. Regularly send out newsletters or updates that provide a taste of your premium content. Include compelling calls to action that encourage them to upgrade their subscription. Remember to segment your email list to personalize your messages and target specific demographics.

8. Offer Multiple Subscription Tiers

Not all free subscribers may be ready or willing to commit to the highest-tier subscription. By offering multiple subscription tiers, you provide options that cater to different budget levels and preferences. This flexibility can increase conversion rates as it allows your audience to choose the plan that suits them best.

Converting free subscribers to paid subscribers on Substack requires a combination of valuable content, effective communication, and strategic incentives. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide and consistently engaging with your audience, you can maximize your conversion rates and build a loyal base of paying subscribers. Remember, the key is to continuously provide value and create a sense of exclusivity that will entice your readers to invest in your premium content.

🍉Sign up here to catch every story when Kristen publishes.

Originally posted on Medium

[depressedhouseplant]

The bi-weekly humble request to subscribe to my Substack

It’s literally just repurposed fanfic with the names changed to English. Most, if not all, of the NSFW sections are paywalled, but free posts go up every Monday at noon EST. Even free subscriptions go a long way toward increasing my visibility (and impressing my teacher). So if you think you can stand reading some WIPs from the vault that are glaringly fanfic with the names changed, please consider subscribing. Any & all support means the world to me 💕🙏🏻

Link is in the masterlist under “WIP Wednesday / Teasers”

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Featured newsletters of writers contributing to the Substack Mastery publication

Substack Mastery is an educational and collaborative tool for our community. Thank you for joining our exciting journey. We look forward to your support and meaningful engagement with our community for mutual growth.

You can contact me via the website digitalmehmet.com when you need help. Thank you for being a valuable member of our community. Curated, Editorial, and Hand-Picked Newsletters Substack Mastery of ILLUMINATION Community | ILLUMINATION Curators Thank you for following and subscribing to our site on Substack. We can now easily find your newsletters easily and feature them in our curated…

[emrowene]

Some extra notes from my own personal experience:

-Radish is mostly good for romance writers and writers of a specific type of shifter fantasy (nothing wrong with that, but I haven't heard from a lot of other genre writers who enjoy the platform)

-Absolutely agree that wattpad is hard for anything that's not romance or fanfiction. It's hard to get started on wattpad in general.

-Royalroad is pretty good for fantasy

-Vella has a lot of the same problems that Kindle has, and you're still writing under amazon's umbrella. It's also one of the newer platforms in this list, so it definitely still has issues to iron out

-there are an increasing number of original fiction writers on substack, but this operates more like an email newsletter - people subscribe for new chapters but there isn't an existing webserial audience on the site itself, so you have to advertise

-you can also create your own website (this is what I do). it gives you the most creative freedom, but as with substack, you have to market.

-STAY AWAY FROM WEBNOVEL. their contracts and business practices are incredibly predatory and it's just not worth it.

if you want an example of online serials, you can check out mine here! i'm also happy to go into any of this in more detail, if that would be helpful.

Anonymous asked: I just read saw your suggestion to serialize a large story instead of chopping it into smaller books. This idea sounds great! Is there any site/method you recommend? Or somewhere to find more info on the topic? I have been thinking of Wattpad, but I feel like original stories and those that aren't romance, go unnoticed against the fandom/romance content.

Kindle Vella and Radish are two popular platforms for publishing episodic stories or serials. Tapas, Yonder, and Inkitt are others. I'm not sure about which genres do best where, but they're all worth looking into.

As for Wattpad, although romance and fan-fiction do really well there, YA, fantasy, sci-fi, and supernatural are all said to do well there also. Mystery/thriller are said to be gaining traction there as well.

Here are some articles to Google with some great information:

-- How to Write Serialized Fiction for Kindle Vella by Jill Williamson (via Go Teen Writers) -- How to Write a Serialized Story: 4 Reasons to Write Serial Fiction (via MasterClass)

-- The Joys (and Perils) of Serial Novel Writing by Will Willingham (via Jane Friedman)

-- Serial Writing, An FAQ by Alexander Wales

-- Plotting Addictive Serials Workshop + Free Serial Fiction Outlining Sheet (via Storytellers Rule the World on YouTube)

-- PLOT A STORY | Story Structure for Serials + FREE TEMPLATES (Scrivener) (via Author Brittany Wang on YouTube)

Happy writing!

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

I’ve been writing seriously for over 30 years and love to share what I’ve learned. Have a writing question? My inbox is always open!

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[toughgirlchallenges]

Meghan J. Ward - Exploring the World and Balancing Parenthood. Author of Lights to Guide Me Home: A Journey Off the Beaten Track in Life, Love, Adventure, and Parenting.

In this episode, we learn about Meghan J. Ward, a writer based in Banff, Canada, who is passionate about outdoor adventure and travel. Meghan is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and the author of Lights to Guide Me Home: A Journey Off the Beaten Track in Life, Love, Adventure, and Parenting. 

Meghan has written several books, as well as produced content for films, anthologies, blogs and some of North America’s top outdoor, fitness and adventure publications.

Meghan shares her journey as a writer, her love of travel, and how she balances parenting with her passion for exploration. 

Meghan also provides practical advice for new moms who want to continue travelling and going on adventures with their children. We also learn about her current project, a documentary film about early 20th-century mountain explorer Mary Schäffer Warren. Finally, Meghan shares some words of advice for women who want to spend more time travelling and going on adventures.

***

New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 

You can support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast Thank you.

  Show notes

Who is Meghan

Being based in Banff, Canada

Having 2 daughters aged 4 and 10

Being a writer and releasing her first travel memoir 

Her passion for travel and for being outside 

Growing up in Ottawa, Canada

Her love of travel and where it came from 

Being inspired by National Geographic Magazines 

Meeting her husband, Paul in the summer of 2005 

Starting a writing career after university 

Being encouraged to pursue writing 

Her writing process while travelling 

Book: Lights to Guide Me Home: A Journey Off the Beaten Track in Life, Love, Adventure, and Parenting

Advice for new mums who have children and want to continue travelling and going on adventures

Practical pieces of advice for travelling with children

Travelling with children on planes

Travelling in a way which is good for the environment

Slower travel and making micro adjustments 

Artists for Air - Brave travellers cleaning up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 

Raising awareness for carbon removal and carbon offsets 

Working on a documentary film about 20th-century mountain explorer, Mary Schäffer Warren 

Going on a road trip through the Baltic Nations

How to connect with Meghan

Final words of advice for women who want to spend more time travelling and going on adventure.

  Social Media

Website: meghanjoyward.com

Substack: meghanjward.substack.com

Instagram: @meghanjward

Twitter: @meghanjward

Facebook: @meghanjoyward

Book: Lights to Guide Me Home: A Journey Off the Beaten Track in Life, Love, Adventure, and Parenting

Documentary - www.wildflowersfilm.ca

  Check out this episode!

[milkplusvn]

Soundless AA: All Must Be Re-Imagined

Tip: You can get posts like this sent directly to your e-mail by subscribing to the Substack, or sent to you 1 day earlier by subscribing to the Patreon!

The magic number for development is 213.

Progress has been made in the form of readjusting all the positions of buttons and screens and such to ensure that things actually appear in the center of the wider screen! Also, there is no longer awkward transparent space in the screen gutters.

The issue now is to fix up buttons so that they’re big enough for someone’s finger to tap on a small device. As you can see above, the save menu needs work. It’s going to look completely different from how it looks on desktop—without a mouse to hover, a player can’t see the screenshot on hover, for instance. The slot, page, and even navigation buttons also have to be increased in size. The same goes for the game menu.

Did you know? The game menu has had half of its options removed because they don’t apply to a phone! There’s a single new option called “Rollback Side” that essentially tells the game which side of the screen you’d rather tap on to trigger rollback.

Mobile Port Progress

User Interface

NVL window graphic complete

Transition images extended

Menu item positions readjusted.

You can play Soundless with brand new art for PC right now!

[englishchinesetranslations]

Hello, Endeavour here. I first remember hearing the phrase “woke capital” being used on the internet by the dissident right in late 2018. The great (once banned, now unbanned) Twitter account under that handle was created in May of 2018. I don’t know if it was this user who coined the phrase, but it has become one of the most potent weapons in the dissident right’s memetic arsenal.

The “woke” as they have become known, present themselves as the defenders of the oppressed and downtrodden racial and sexual victim groups of society against the alleged, straight, white, and male power structure, championing causes like racial egalitarianism, feminism, and LGBT rights. This façade of victimhood and rebellion quickly fades away when exposed to the fact that billions upon billions of dollars are put into pushing these causes by the likes of BlackRock and Goldman Sachs each year and that the entire international media is dedicated to upholding the narratives they are founded upon.

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When viewed in this light, “wokeism” appears, not as a righteous crusade for social justice, but as top-down, social engineering being forced upon Western society by the elite class, which is exactly what it is. There is no better indication of this reality than the now annual tradition of corporations replacing their logos with LGBT rainbow themed versions on social media in the month of June each year.

I first considered making a video on the phenomenon of woke capital in June 2019 to coincide with that year’s over-the-top and ridiculous offerings corporations devote to LGBT Pride Month, but I never got around to it for some reason. I finally decided the time was right when this phenomenon of woke capital reached its zenith (at least so far) in the summer of 2020, after the death of the drug addict and convicted felon, now elevated to progressive sainthood, George Floyd.

I published what is to date my most popular video by far titled ‘The Base and Superstructure of Woke Capitalism’ on July 9th, 2020 after a month of the BLM riots raging across the United States, spilling over into the rest of the Western world. The most shocking thing about those few months in 2020 was not the widespread lawlessness, but the degree to which all institutions in the Western world not only enabled but encouraged it.

The United States experienced the most flagrant violations of rule of law ever seen in a Western country during the summer of Floyd. Rioters destroyed property and assaulted ordinary citizens while law enforcement either stood by doing nothing or in some cases, arrested victims for defending themselves. It was the truest and most extreme form of anarcho-tyranny I’ve ever seen.

What’s more is that every single major corporation responded to this calamity by donating millions or in some cases billions of dollars towards BLM and the so-called cause of “anti-racism”. This is the context in which I made what would become my most viewed video. In it, I tried to explain, why is it that corporations so relentlessly support woke politics. The conclusion that I came to in that video was that they wanted to create a soulless, deracinated, global consumer class whose entire being would be devoted to consumption. The assumption I was operating under was that the goal of corporations is to make money. Therefore, they must be pushing wokeism as a means of increasing their potential to make money.

Looking back three years later, I no longer think this is the case. Instead, I think there’s something else behind the phenomenon of woke capital which is even darker. To give even more context for why I though this at the time, but no longer do, I need to address the even bigger international news story which preceded the summer of Floyd and long outlasted it; COVID. By that point, the COVID era had begun a few months prior, but we really didn’t get a full understanding of the true implications of COVID until a year later during the unprecedented madness surrounding the vaccine.

I’m not going to rehash the whole two years of COVID. For the purposes of this essay, I will say that COVID and the other rabbit holes which it led me down brought me to the conclusion that profit is not the main driving force behind woke capital as I theorized in my video on the subject in 2020.

First of all, the one thing which COVID showed us was that the elites don’t actually care about the economy at all. They were all too enthusiastic to devastate the economy even after it was clear to all that the COVID restrictions were doing far more harm than good. Now, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that for many, there was a huge financial incentive for advancing the COVID tyranny, namely among the pharmaceutical companies and corporations which thrive off the further atomization of society such as big tech, online shopping, etc.

However, COVID was in effect a wealth transfer as it made the vast majority of people a lot poorer and resulted in the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. It didn’t grow the economy, but rather it transferred huge sums of money from the bottom and the middle to the top. Most people have a lot of less an ability to spend on consumer products than they did back in 2019. So, furthering consumerism was not the goal of everything that was done from 2020 to 2022. What really was achieved during that period is in line with what I now consider to be the real driving force behind woke capital.

Moving on from COVID, the past three years have made me a lot more conscious of the climate change and sustainable development agenda. The phrases “The Great Reset” and “Build Back Better” were first heard in 2020 during COVID. They fell out of use a year or two later when they were no longer useful to the regime’s messaging, but what they were essentially referring to is Agenda 2030 or the UN Sustainable Development Goals for which wokeism is baked into the cake along with the environmental policies.Another force I only became conscious of in the past few years which is intertwined with all this is the Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance rating system or ESG. This is essentially a social credit system which rates corporations to determine which are worthy of investment or not. The social criteria for ESG are essentially how woke a corporation is. The more woke they are, the higher their rating. The environmental criteria are mostly related to the climate agenda and how devoted they are to achieving the lauded goal of net-zero carbon emissions.

ESG has existed since 2006, but it became a lot more prominent when BlackRock announced in 2020 that ESG would be taken into consideration for all of their future investments. There is a large overlap between ESG and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and an effort is being made to bring the two fully inline. So, there is a clear link between the driving forces behind the climate agenda and the woke agenda. And this is reflected by the establishment stooges who promote both of these. Take Justin Trudeau for example. As often as he is sure to denounce Canada’s history of racism, sexism, and homophobia, he is just as sure to proclaim his government’s devotion to fighting climate change.

I’ve been acutely aware of anti-white policies such as mass immigration, affirmative action, etc. for almost a decade now, but I largely ignored the environmental policies being advocated by the same individuals and institutions, seeing them as a lot less relevant to the very real threats the aforementioned policies posed. It’s only within the last two or three years that I’ve started to consider the latter of equal importance and the two as inseparable.

As I now see the two agendas as inextricably linked, I’ve come to the conclusion that profit and consumerism are most certainly not the motivation behind woke capital. If there is one thing the climate agenda is definitely not designed to do, it is to facilitate consumerism. On the contrary, it appears that the purpose is to put an end to the consumer society neoliberal capitalism has created. The policies being proposed will kneecap massive industries such as the agricultural industry, the tourism industry, the automotive industry, and more.

And then there’s the ludicrous and dystopian prospect of the introduction of a carbon credit score (which I made a recent video about). Such a system would severely limit the average person’s ability to consume and reduce their incentive to produce given that it could also act as a kind of UBI. This would all be a radical departure from the neoliberal capitalism of the past few decades. So, where does wokeism fit into all of this if the two are so deeply connected? And if profit isn’t the goal, then what really is?

It is now my opinion that the phenomenon of woke capital and its symbiotic relationship with the sustainable development agenda are primarily motivated by control. Ultimately, wokeism is creating a more dysfunctional society. It is facilitating the importation of a class of people accustomed to a lower standard of living into Western countries via mass immigration, deracinating and atomizing the population through multiculturalism, destroying the family unit through feminism and the LGBT agenda, and reducing competency via affirmative action.

In short, it is creating a new people who won’t be able to do anything about the drastic fall in quality of life in the West or the tyrannical system of control the elites have in mind. The easiest person to control is someone with no agency of their own. Someone who is sick, incompetent, lazy, and without an ounce of will. Not only would such a person not resist the system, they would defend it to the end as it is their sole source of both status and sustenance. That is the kind of person being created by woke capital.

If nothing else, the last three years have taught me that elites are not primarily motivated by money, but by power. By definition, someone in the elite is wealthy. They already can afford any material goods they would ever want. When you become that wealthy, what becomes a lot more valuable to you is not further profit but expanding your own power and influence. And that does a lot to explain the phenomenon of wokeism throughout every elite Western institution.

I do not subscribe to the theory of “Go woke, go broke.” Every Fortune 500 company has gone woke at this point and none of them have gone broke as a result. However, going woke certainly doesn’t make these companies more profitable. They do lose money as a result (though never enough to go broke), but they gain power by furthering the broader degradation of a healthy society which they are more than happy to spend the extra money on.

This is perfectly exemplified by ESG. This year, there has been a backlash against ESG in the corporate world for the simple fact that ESG is not profitable. One reason for this is that it rewards companies for hiring people based on their identity (not being White, straight, or male) rather than their actual merit. Another is that it forces companies to reduce their net carbon output which means spending extra money on buying carbon credits from smaller companies.

While it is presented a guide to ethical investing, the real function of ESG is that it funnels investment to a small number of large corporations who have the excess capital to spend on being ESG sufficient and denies funding to smaller firms who simply cannot afford to be so wasteful. This doesn’t necessarily make larger corporation more profitable, but a lot more powerful by crushing opposition.

Now, in my original video and so far in this essay, I’ve framed woke capital as a purely Machiavellian force for attaining more power. I’ve thus far failed to address another major driving force behind Woke Capital. That is genuine belief among the elite in the causes which they profess to support. While I don’t think this is the case for every billionaire out there, there are a sizeable number who genuinely believe that wokeism is making the world a better place. The cause for them is not simply about power, but also about achieving some kind of ideological ends. And they are in many cases willing to put their deeply held principles above both profitability and practicality.

A prominent example of this is ethnic identity among elites of Jewish ancestry. The role which Jews have played in the movements which would later come to be known as “woke” throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century has been well documented on the dissident right. Jewish support for mass non-white immigration into Western countries, multiculturalism, feminism, the LGBT movement, etc. has often been motivated by a desire to dismantle White rule of Western countries which they see as in conflict with Jewish interests.

Among White gentile elites, support for woke causes is often motivated by a universalist, egalitarian worldview. For them, Wokeism is a moral crusade against the ultimate evils of racism, sexism, and homophobia. I suppose you could add climate change to that list as well. While this worldview was primarily developed by Jewish intellectuals during the 20th century with their own ethnic interests in mind, it has been hegemonic throughout cultural and intellectual life in the West for decades now.

The entire current ruling class of elites in the West has been raised and educated in it. As a result, many White elites have internalized this worldview (minus the Jewish particularism) and genuinely believe it is a noble cause. Lastly, there is the newer, but rising phenomenon of non-White elites in the West, primarily from South and South-East Asia. Much like with Jews, woke politics often serve their own ethnic interests too, though in a much more upfront and less deceptive manner.

Whether deeply held principles or a Machiavellian pursuit of power is the main driving force behind woke capital is up for debate. Personally, I think the two feed off each other. One can start from a point of sincerely held beliefs and justify their actions through ruthless Machiavellianism or they can start off as a power-hungry opportunist who eventually begins to believe their own lies. But either way, I do not think that their goal is the furtherance of the consumer society which we’ve become accustomed to over the past several decades.

Instead, the current trends suggest that their goal is to replace it with something else. I’d even dispute the title of my original video which I called “woke capitalism”. Now, the word “capitalism” has lost all meaning over the past century. It’s gotten to the point where self-proclaimed anarchists are the foot soldiers of BlackRock while claiming to be fighting capitalism. However, if we take it to mean neoliberal consumerism, wokeism is certainly not designed to maintain that.

As we can see in East Asia, neoliberal consumerism can still exist within a homogenous society without importing the third world or demonizing the dominant ethnic group. While nihilism and materialism are prerequisites, the full-scale cultural of wokeism iconoclasm isn’t. When you zoom out and look at the broader narratives behind wokeism in combination with the climate agenda on a global scale, it appears that the goal is to impoverish the West in order to bring down to the level of the rest of the world.

Present-Day San Francisco

The cash cow of neoliberal capitalism might end, but those at the top are already so wealthy that they aren’t motivated by further profit, but by the potential for absolute and permanent control on a global scale. If what they are planning actually works, that is. But that’s a topic for another day.