Substacks recommended by Robert Leonard | Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture

Recommended by Robert Leonard

The Bulwark is home to Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, Bill Kristol, JVL, Sam Stein, 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.

Letters from an American

By Heather Cox Richardson

A newsletter about the history behind today's politics.

Meidas+

By MeidasTouch Network

The premium hub for MeidasTouch, the fastest growing pro-democracy news network. Bonus articles, exclusive content, and interactive chats. Led by Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas, with exclusive articles by Ron Filipkowski.

Robert Reich

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

The Contrarian

Unflinching journalism in defense of democracy

Drop Site News

Independent news on politics and war

Adam Kinzinger

I’m terrified by America’s fascism trend and disgusted that my party is now a Trump cult. My time inside the system and in the probe of the January 6 attack has left me with just an ember of hope. Making it grow requires the hard truth. Can we handle it?

Naturally Al Batt

A wonderful day outside leaves a wonderful feeling inside. Everyone has a story. That’s true of all creatures great and small. The love of birds and their stories can change a person. Take me. My wife claims I haven’t always looked like a sandhill crane.

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.

AI Supremacy

By Michael Spencer

News at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, technology and business including Op-Eds, research summaries, guest contributions and valuable info about A.I. startups.

Brian Tyler Cohen

A deep dive into what's happening in politics from one of the biggest content creators on the left.

The Jim Acosta Show

By Jim Acosta

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

Information Bank

By Sharon Lawrence

A Resource Center for People Passionate About Democracy, Facts & Good Governance

Paul Krugman

Notes on economics and more

Trump Tyranny Tracker

By Olga Lautman

Documenting corruption, human rights abuses, and dismantling of American democracy

Rick Wilson’s Against All Enemies

Tireless resistance to autocracy.

Ty's Take

By Ty Rushing

My personal Substack

Ty is one of the very best journalists in the Midwest. Aside from his straight journalism, he is an astute analyst and commentator of contemporary pop culture. He will never dissapoint.

- Robert Leonard

American Doom

By Justin Glawe

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

The Capitol Hill Reader

Weekly highlights from the President, Congress, and the Federal Courts, reporting live from the shadow ban.

Law Dork

By Chris Geidner

The Supreme Court, law, politics, and more.

Patti Smith

The reader is my notebook

Decoding Fox News

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

Rooted--Land at the Edge of the Sky

By George Shurr

Deep history of a place in the Eastern Great Plains where the tall grass prairie carved by deep river valleys intersects with the area that has wooded lakes left by the last glacier.

Jaron’s Curious Adventures

By Jaron Sedlock

This blog is where I share the science, stories, musings, curiosity, and wonder of native grasslands. From blooming flowers and birds to salamanders, bugs, friends, and all the quiet moments in between.

Democracy Defender 1787

By Jim Chrisinger

Democracy Defender 1787 responds to the dangers posed to America's democracy and the rule of law by Trump II and the MAGA movement.

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.

Volts

By David Roberts

A newsletter, podcast, & community focused on the technology, politics, and policy of decarbonization. In your inbox once or twice a week.

The Cocklebur

By Bryce Oates

Reporting and analysis on rural politics, policy, people, and places.

Christina’s Substack

By The Latest

I explore cool people and happenings in the Midwest, being first-born and first-gen, widowhood, grief & healing, and other topiocs that make my fingers itch to write.

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.

The Writing Life With Jason Liegois

A newsletter on writing and the writing life.

Seeing Things

By Liza Donnelly

New and unpublished drawings and thoughts for people who want to see more of life, from a New Yorker cartoonist. Drawings, cartoons, words, live drawing, process, politics, culture, more...

A Twist on the Everyday

By Cathy Haustein

science, society, stories

Jim Tripp

Concerned US citizen, retired scientist.

Iowa politics with Laura Belin

Where you get in-depth coverage and exclusive reporting about Iowa politics

American Bardic Poet

By Emily Lupita

Joseph S. Plum is a poet in the bardic tradition. He lives off-grid in rural Iowa and composes his unique chant-like oral poetry for fascinated audiences around the world. Spiritual / Mystic / Star Knowledge / New Age

Joe Plum is an amazing person and poet. I am very happy that he and his talented daughter Emily Lupita have teamed up to share his work. Please check it out.

- Robert Leonard

Iowa Captive

By IowaCaptive

I am a white, queer, longtime iowaphile, who has finally relocated and wonders what the f(&# did I do?? Writing about the intersection of relocation, education and queerness. And a smattering of anything else that gets stuck in my craw.

The Swine Republic

By Chris Jones

Writing about confluence of agriculture and environment from the heart of the big ag beast here in Iowa

Steady

By Dan Rather

Dan Rather's steady take on a complex and chaotic world.

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.

Iowa Valley RC&D

Leading in the development of farmers and food value chains toward a more collaborative, equitable, and resilient food system across Iowa’s communities. Don't want to subscribe? You can still access our content by clicking "no thanks."

Building Iowa's local food system. Great content by great people doing great things.

- Robert Leonard

Shifting Gears with Phoebe Wall Howard

Original news reporting, analysis and features by award-winning journalist Phoebe Wall Howard. Topics range from auto industry and politics to sailing and spotlight profiles with a Detroit perspective.

Substack Writers at Work with Sarah Fay

For people who are serious about Substack growth—with the leading Substack Strategist, Sarah Fay

Dispatch: Revolution

By Stacey Walker

This is a space dedicated to unpacking and analyzing progressive movement politics—its history, its trajectory, the stakes of the fight ahead, and the futures we demand.

Iowa Startup Collective

By Diana Wright

A bimonthly roundup of entrepreneurship from the lens of Iowa writers and creatives, each writing under their own pen on Substack.

The Education Wars

By Jennifer Berkshire

Reporting from the front lines of the education wars from freelance journalist and podcaster Jennifer Berkshire.

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 a fearless advocate for rural America..

- Robert Leonard

The Golden Hour by Karen Attiah

On writing, fighting, and beauty in dark times.

Writing No One Off

By Beto for America

The Beto for America newsletter

The Seven Times produced by Nik Heftman

We produce inspiring stories about Black entrepreneurs. We also write pieces on art, travel, and our experiences as a mission-driven film production company. Paid subscribers receive courses on storytelling, entrepreneurship and creativity.