Substacks recommended by Jess Craven | Chop Wood, Carry Water

Recommended by Jess Craven

“They want you to be alone. Nobody is going to fix this alone. That’s not how this works.” - Timothy Snyder

The home for news that should matter to you, by V Spehar, an accomplished TikTokker who's been called "GenZ’s Walter Cronkite." Here you'll find a place for nuanced conversations and exclusive reporting that center your emotional safety.

V is one of the top political content creators. If they've started a Substack it's going to be superlative.

- Jess Craven

Your Dose of Climate Hope

By Climate Action Now

Action is the antidote to despair. Subscribe now to get one easy action to take every weekday, along with stories about the trends, innovations, and people creating a better world! Enjoy our Weekly Quiz on Saturdays and Good News Roundup on Sundays!

Cannot recommend this newsletter--and the Climate Action Now app--strongly enough. You get hope AND simple climate-related actions. Best combo ever if you have climate anxiety.

- Jess Craven

MurMur’s Substack

By MurMur Substack

A fact-based breakdown of US politics to help you have more informed conversations.

This is an excellent messaging newsletter, with a focus on how best to persuade young voters to vote blue. Invaluable!

- Jess Craven

The Downballot

By David Nir

Covering every election, from kickoff to call

HOW TO SHOW UP with Samara Bay

By Samara // HOW TO SHOW UP

💥 Public speaking for the soul. Get love notes and monthly community on Zoom to show up/show out with your humanity intact. Guidance & fire from the author of #1 bestseller PERMISSION TO SPEAK. A Substack Featured Publication 2024.

The Digital Drumbeat by DemCast

By DemCast USA

Rallying Americans behind 24/7/365 messaging imperatives to help defeat right-wing disinformation on social media. DemCast monitors messaging guidance from across the pro-democracy movement and delivers it to you here so you can spread word on social.

Movement Voter Project

MVP is a one-stop shop for strategically investing in local organizations that win elections and transform policy.

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper

My name is Jess and I was a high school Literature teacher for 16 years until I decided to run as a Democrat in a rural, red district in Missouri. I bring you news and politics from Missouri and beyond from a rural progressive point of view.

Jess Piper is an absolute shero of rural America. Must-follow!

- Jess Craven

The Grassroots Connector

A newsletter for and by grassroots leaders. We report on innovative grassroots projects and the latest research on voter contact strategies.

Morning Memo

By David Kurtz (TPM)

The essential political news roundup from David Kurtz and the team at TPM.

Rogan's List

By Joe Katz

ways we can help save our democracy

A thoroughly researched, regularly published list of actions to take to support a healthy democracy. A great complement to my newsletter!

- Jess Craven

Healthcare Advocacy

By Alan Unell Ph.D.

News and Actions for Healthcare Reform: A Public Service

If improving the American healthcare system is a primary goal for you this newsletter is a must-read.

- Jess Craven

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!

Simon Rosenberg was one of the only political analysts to predict Democrats' wins in 2022. He's a relentless cheerleader for our side, but in the most data-backed way imaginable. Indispensable.

- Jess Craven

The Media and Democracy Project Blog

By Media and Democracy Project

We're building a people-powered movement to create a better-informed electorate. https://MediaAndDemocracyProject.org

Want a better media environment? Want to hold journalists accountable for the job they're doing (or not doing?) Subscribe to this!

- Jess Craven

Pepperspectives

By David Pepper

Saving Democracy: A User’s Guide

This Week in Statehouse Action

By Carolyn Fiddler

Carolyn Fiddler's must-read newsletter on the latest news from state capitols across the country.

One of my all-time faves. Carolyn Fiddler is a must-read if you care about state-level elections.

- Jess Craven

Erin In The Morning

By Erin Reed

News and discussion on trans legislation and life.

If you're interested in trans rights--and we all should be--this newsletter is a must-subscribe.

- Jess Craven

What Did Donald Trump Do Today?

By What Did Trump Do Today?

A daily log following the activities of the administration of the 47th President of the United States.

Reframing America

By Antonia

Changing the way the American Left engages in the public debate.

Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance

By Joyce Vance

Worried about the state of the republic? Get the legal knowledge & analysis you need to be an advocate for democracy, along with a dose of savvy optimism.

If you want clear and thorough explainers on legal cases moving through the federal courts--especially ones affecting Trump--this is the newsletter for you.

- Jess Craven

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.

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

Excellent, incisive, smart, and wide-ranging in its scope. Highly recommend.

- Jess Craven

The Status Kuo

By Jay Kuo

The Status Kuo provides accessible political and legal analysis with a dose of humor. In crazy times, a little clarity goes a long way! Subscribe to receive my email in your inbox. All paid support is voluntary but deeply appreciated

An outstanding newsletter that covers a range of politics and news related topics. Kuo writes beautifully and he's smart and knowledgable. What more can you ask?

- Jess Craven

Your Local Epidemiologist

By Katelyn Jetelina

Providing a direct line of "translated" public health science to you

Today's Edition Newsletter

By Robert Hubbell

A reflection on today's news through the lens of hope.

Again, if you care about politics and need a daily explainer/pep talk from a smart lawyer who started this newsletter to comport his grown daughters after Trump was elected, you should subscribe. I consider it a daily must-read.

- Jess Craven

The.Ink

By The Ink

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

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

If you're into messaging and/or overall wonkery you'll love it. From Pod Save America co-host Dan Pfeiffer.

- Jess Craven

Run for Something feel-good updates

By Amanda Litman

Good vibes - and no fundraising emails - from the Run for Something community. Check your inbox every Monday morning.

Letters from an American

By Heather Cox Richardson

A newsletter about the history behind today's politics.

You can't be interested in politics and not follow historian Heather Cox Richardson's work. Mighty, uplifting, contextualizing, informative.

- Jess Craven

BIG by Matt Stoller

The history and politics of monopoly power.

Abortion, Every Day

By Jessica Valenti

All things abortion. Feminist commentary & community.

An absolute must-read if abortion is an issue that matters to you. Indispensable.

- Jess Craven

HEATED

By Emily Atkin

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

Popular Information

By Judd Legum

Independent accountability journalism.

If you want to help hold bad corporations accountable, and find out who's funding the awful politicians we're fighting, you need to subscribe.

- Jess Craven