List
Why Lists?
I love lists. Whenever I find a writer on Substack I often wonder what their favourite posts on Substack are. It can be overwhelming sometimes because there is so much to discover on Substack and here is a short glimpse of the same from the Substack Blog
There are more than 35 million active subscriptions to writers on Substack, including more than 2 million paid subscriptions.
Why Recommendations and Notes are not Enough?
I go through my favourite Substack writers pages for recommendations and notes, but am always hungry for more. Recommendations allow writers to share a link to your favourite newsletters on Substack. Notes allow writers to post short-form content and share ideas with each other and their readers. But I want to know about their favourite Substack posts and not just their favourite Substack newsletters or Substack notes. That is why I created these lists. I want to get these conversations started on my favourite Substack Posts. You can find My Substack Recommendations and My Substack Notes at these links.
Why Read on Substack?
I love being a reader on Substack and what makes this platform magical is the writer and the hours of effort she puts into each post. I spend hours reading on Substack each week. I come across so many amazing #SubstackWriters, #SubstackNewsletters and #SubstackPosts. It got me excited about reading again!
Why Curate Posts on Substack?
I want to make a list of my favourite posts from Substack with a brief description of each post. This is my attempt at curation on Substack. On Substack, I read about topics like Sports, Economics, Memoirs, Entrepreneurship, Culture, History, Films, Books, Podcasts, Poetry, Photography and Stories. To support other Substack writers, please explore the full post and the writer’s articles by clicking on the links below. There are often many more such gems in their Archives and I list some of these gems in the list below. I hope
or adds this as a feature to each profile to improve discoverability for new writers.- (on how Notes allow writers to post short-form content and share ideas with each other and their readers).
Introducing Substack Recommendations by
(on how Recommendations allow writers to share a link to your favourite newsletter on Substack.It’s the creators’ economy, stupid by
(on the origins of Substack and the first Substack writers).- (on a refugee family that settled in Bombay, earned billions from the Opium Wars, only to throw away their fortune and now their name is just a footnote in history).
Independent India’s First Failure by
(on how top down innovation without customer empathy can have disastrous results)Gated societies are coded into Delhi's DNA by
(on how the Delhi Development Authority allocates land plays a huge role in turning Delhi into a collection of walled societies, devoid of neighbourhoods).- (on the history of a popular park in the heart of Mumbai city)
Public buildings bring life to neighbourhoods by
(on the role of a theatre to bring life and add community to a neighbourhood)- (on the how big cities need thriving streets)
- (on how India won the T20 World Cup 2024 Final against South Africa and why this match was so important for the country).
Sunset by
Dev (on how 2024 was a difficult year for the world’s most prolific Novak Djokovic).Sage by
(on how Rahul Dravid became the most respected name in Cricket in India).Ravichandran Ashwin - One of a Kind by
(on the mind of India’s best off spinner)- (on how the parenting styles depicted in the movie affected how the main characters - Akash, Sameer and Sid turned out as grownups).
Reading: One Hundred Years of Solitude by
(on the stories and incidents that shape your thinking in a book)- (on how characters find meaning in a film)
Real Cost of Entrepreneurship by
(on how work demands efficiency to flourish but love needs inefficiency to flourish).- Mehta (on how Running a restaurant is a costly business in India and may be bound to fail).
Our Talents Are Invisible to Us by
(on how our talents emerge and why we must identify and appreciate them).Reading is not Sexy, and how reading burnouts are real by
(on how you can get reading burnouts and how to get out of it).My Game-Changing Learning Experience with AI by
(on using A.I as a teacher and educational administrator).Digital vs. Paper: Reading for Lifelong Learning by
(on the differences between digital and paper reading).A beginners path to reading educational research by
(on how to read and archive academic research)The Cobra Effect of Board Exams by
(on how exams can affect student learning)More than Burnout: The Keys to Teacher Well Being by
(on the different types of teacher well being)- (on the role of experience in sports).
We Are What We Remember But memory is a strange thing by
(on memory and how it can shape identity and the stories we tell ourselves).If you are a creator this is your time by
(on how creators have the tools to build an engaged audience through his own story of being a blogging and podcasting pioneer in India).Why Are My Episodes so Long? by
(on how to build an audience with 5 to 9 hour long podcast episodes).12 Consumer Trends/Observations in India by
(on how consumers in India consume products and services in India).- (on the Indian consumer and their dreams, hopes and ambitions).
- (on deleting Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok)
#Investing Basics : P/E Ratio by
(on how to evaluate the price earning ratio for a stock).#Investing Basics : Market Capitalization by
(on how to evaluate market capitalization for a stock).How to make big money in the markets? by
(on how the rules for long term investing are patience and strategic stock selection).How Marc Lou Turned 30 Failed Startups into a $1.5M Success? by
(on how a startup founder failed in 30 startups and then succeeded in one).- (on Cricket Writing in the modern world).
Is David Warner modern day cricket's greatest opener? by
(on David Warner’s career as a batsman)Why Could Lebanon Be Rich, but Is so Chaotic? by
(on studying Lebanon through its maps)Why Is 80% of Mexico Nearly Empty? by
(on studying Mexico through its maps)Why Was Jamaica a Pirate Capital? by
(on studying Jamaica through its maps)How to photograph our dogs? by
(on how to create incentives to get your dogs to pose for photos)The fragrance industry is bigger (and more annoying) than ever by
(on how a fragrance can evoke a special memory)- (on post partum thoughts and depression)
Have I moved across the oceans really? by
(on the challenges of studying abroad and settling down in a new culture).the worst thing to be on substack is a substacker by
(on the inner thoughts of the largest community of readers and writers on Substack called the Substackers).Ode to the Bombay batata vada by
(on Batata Vadas and Bombay Nostalgia).- (on the underlying assumptions of this popular Indian brother sister festival).
The math of life doesn’t add up by
(on sharing your grandparents love with your cousins).- (on the unexpected benefits and joys of keeping a journal).
- (on the memories you have you of your grandmother).
Post 21: Me, Myself, and My Proprioception by
(on Proprioception, which is the reason we are aware of the scope and extent of our physical bodies, of how they exist in the context of the space around us).- (on how Generative AI and Large Language Models can help Indian SMEs?).
QC: Implications of life in the fast lane by Dharmesh Ba (on how quick commerce is changing India)
The Internet Will Pay You More for Your 9-5 Skills than an Employer Ever Will by
(on using the Internet to find new ways to monetize your skill set).- (on how time is as important as money for the rich).
- (on how starting a Business can give you financial and personal freedom).
How Writing on the Internet Made Me $1,000,000 by
(on using the Internet to build an independent source of income).- (on how great writers build stories from past influences).
is memoir the best vehicle to tell your story? by
(on memoirs and their increasing popularity among readers).What I learned from podcasting? by
(on using a podcast to share professional and personal experiences).Mental Health in Tennis: Burning for Change - Issue #35 by
(on how a tennis player's struggles can range from having a traumatic incident on the court to simply feeling homesick).Jessica Pegula: In Bloom - Issue #25 by
(on one of the most hardworking and consistent tennis players on the WTA tour).Aryna Sabalenka: Earning Her Stripes - Issue #23 by
(on overcoming the strangest serving troubles in recent memory, to being banned from Wimbledon in 2022).Paula Badosa: Great Expectations - Issue #20 by
(on being touted as the next big thing in tennis).The Curious Case of Garbiñe Muguruza - Issue #24 by
(on finding form as a tennis player).Daniil Medvedev: Keep dreaming, kid - Issue #17 by
(on taking a look at Daniil Medvedev’s game and unique mindset).Iga Świątek: A Measurement of Greatness - Issue #13 by
(on Iga Świątek’s 2022 season glistened with perfection).Naomi Osaka: To Be Human - Issue #6 by
(on Naomi Osaka has transcended tennis, and how can she climb her way back to the top of the sport).Carlos Alcaraz: Out of the Shadow - Issue #3 by
(on how after 2 decades of men’s tennis dominated by the Big 3, a Spanish teenager breathes new life into the game).Honoring The Legend: Cementing Serena - Issue #1 by
(on honoring the greatest female athlete of all-time Serena Williams).Rafael Nadal & Novak Djokovic: The GOAT Race - Issue #7 by
(on looking back on Nadal and Djokovic’s 2022 Grand Slam achievements and a look into the future).Teaching Your Children By Fighting With Your Spouse by
(on fighting with empathy).Passportism and its discontents by
(on discrimination on the basis of your passports and nationality).In Austria, coffee with a side of history by
(on the unique ambience of Austrian coffee houses).- (on stories of food and identity in China)
The English writer who colonized young Indian readers by
(on learning about the world from a writer that came from a country that colonized you).#62 From Red Carpets to Booksignings: Celebrities Embracing Fiction by
(on celebrity novels).#59 The Next Book You Pick Might Come From Trash–and That's a Good Thing for Indian Publishing! by
(on the new trend of making books from trash).#57 Blogs Redefined: Navigating the Shift in Online Content by
(on the new types of blogs that emerged in the modern creator economy).#53 Why Books Are Not Enough to Save Indie Bookstores by
(on how bookshops are using coffee shops and community to build an audience).#47 Why Startup Founders Are Investing In Podcasts by
(on the growth and rise of startup founder podcasts in India).How engineers test Moon landers on Earth? by
(on the science behind moon missions).- (on the importance of moon missions).
Indian Space Progress #11: Reviewing an incredible year for ISRO by
(on a year of work by the Indian space agency).Bowled Him! by
(on Kagiso Rabada as a fast bowler).Klaasen is poetry in motion by
(on Heinrich Klassen as a middle order batsman).The Real Reason We Struggle to Find Purpose by
(on changing your mindset to find purpose).The Seesaw Between Pain and Pleasure by
(on reacting to pleasure and pain).How can GenAI help Indian SMEs? by
(on how A.I. can help a small business in India).#3 | Customer is King: How do small businesses perceive customer relationships? by
(on building a long term relationship with the local customer).Building trust in digital payments by
(on the critical role of trust in the digital payments ecosystem).Building an online tuition for rural India by
(on the story of an online tuition business in India).How Hoovu is building an online community! by
(on the value of a brand that sells flowers and more online).15 small businesses worth checking out by
(on supporting the small business that doesn’t get as much media attention).10 brands I'm rooting for this year by
(on lifestyle brands that make you proud of your lifestyle).8 brands from Shark Tank worth checking out by
(on great Shark Tank India products and services).This Kolkata bookstore curates books on environment & causes! by
(on a Kolkata bookstare with the rarest collection and nicest Bookstore owners).My fave books, podcasts, and articles of 2024 by
(on awesome end of year lists with recommendations to take you through the next).Moving to Bombay: The Literary Edition by
(on learning about a new city by reading about it).- (on a father’s unconditional love for his daughter).
- (on accepting and understanding the love you deserve).
#1: Marc Lou's journey to $1.5MN by
(on the one person startup).#2: Tom Alder's journey to 55k+ Subscribers by
(on building a newsletter).#3: Tim Stoddart's journey to $5M/year by
(on building a writing business).#4: Dickie Bush, X and $10M Business by
(on writing for the masses).7 hard truths about success that nobody talks about by
(on things nobody tells you about success).How to Habit by
(on what makes habits stick).The art of watching the cricket by
(on how we watch cricket).Manifesto on recovering from burnout by
(on rest after work).- (on year end journals).
How to make love stay in the age of anxiety? by
(on protecting your loves).A tale of two names - Naseem and Natasha by
(on choosing names)5 things to learn from the man you love by
(on learning from your partner)The Romance Of Small Intimacies by
(on romance beyond what is shown in popular media)The most important lesson learnt as an #unschooling parent by
(on being an unschooling parent)Motherhood taught me to stop dishing out advice by
(on what motherhood teaches you about giving advice)I think I have lost the ability to work and earn a living by
(on why unemployment feels bad).The lachak and matak of Hrithik Roshan by
(on what is special about Hrithik Roshan as a dancer).- (on his old and his new Bengaluru).
There’s something about Calcutta by
(on walking around Calcutta).- (on a four-item listicle of things of the show).
A Smorgasbord of Little Events by
(on the joy of little things).- (on a city slowly growing on you).
- (on going home to a parent that loves you unconditionally).
Working in Bombay, the literary edition by
(on work in new cities).QC: Implications of life in the fast lane by
(on how quick commerce is changing India).Why I Quit Social Media and Spend 14 Hours a Day on Notes Instead by
(on substack notes and social media).The 24 most beautiful sentences I read in 2024 by
(on beautiful sentences).- (on elite migration).
What Hilary Mantel Did For Me, in a Year of Wolf Hall by
(on book adaptions and author conversations).- (on ideas to make sense of the world).
- (on note taking in your own words).
The twenty-year-old woman who challenged Hindu patriarchy; and won by
(on the journey of India’s first female doctor).How the British controlled a fractured India by
(on the relationship between the Crown and the Princely States).How Money Problems toppled the French Monarchy by
(on power and money in France).- (on writing to your future self).
- (on errors in reasoning).
- (on knowing how much is enough).
- (on making time for what is important).
How to Retain What You Learn by
(on learning frameworks).- (on increasing your luck surface area).
- (on using frameworks to understand the world).
In between the Kingdoms of the Well and Sick by
(on finding silence between wellness and illness).Your Favorite Ideas of 2024 by
(on podcast and article recommendations).The Ideal Place to Relax on Holidays and Weekends by
(on finding company in nature and near water).Stop serving the compliment sandwich by
(on giving useful feedback).The Most Meaningful Way to Succeed Is to Help Others Succeed by
(on being a giver).Life in the 10-minute delivery city by
(on the joys of buying things at your local store).James Baldwin Makes the World Feel Bigger by
(on the legacy of James Baldwin).Tall Sons and Truth Telling by
(on finding your own understanding of motherhood).- (on finding moments of comfort).
11 / Love by
(on what love and motherhood feels like).- (on conversations with your child).
It tastes better in my memory by
(on memories of food you loved).- (on the second kind of love).
- (on discovering old friendships).
- (on rejections in life).
- (on seeing and holding space for beauty).
- (on the Parsi community in India).
21 Things I Have Learnt in the Last 30 Years by
(on funny life lessons).The name's Papdi, Soan Papdi by
(on gifting soan papdi).- (on having a common Indian name).
- (on how men dress up).
- (on the ever evolving Linkedin post).
Why do men wear uniforms even after school? by
(on men and uniforms).9 Odd Dumb Things I Have Learnt From 121 Rejections! by
(on learning from rejection).Mastering the art of not reading great books this year by
(on books you do not read).- (on your next door neighbour).
- (on the real reasons people have babies).
Two Movies by
(on thoughts on being child free).- (on the pros and cons of the bachelor life).
Friends by
(on understanding what friendship means to you).- (on attending a film festival).
After slagging it off a decade, I think I love running? by
(on running in your thirties).A love letter to living alone by
(on living alone).- (on being a doctor).
- (on what human contradictions).
36 Flavours of Writer's Block by
(on writer’s block and comics).Confessions of an English Teacher by
(on teaching and speaking English).Family Enough: The Art of Creating Belonging by
(on the different kinds of family).Why we secretly avoid, resent, and disown poetry by
(on our fear and love for poetry).- (on cooking alone and finding joy in the same).
- (on your relationship with money).
losing yourself to find out what you're made of at the core of it all by
(on why we dance).Letting F.R.I.E.N.D.S go and Letting Friendship grow into a Wild, Ever-present Sensation by
Tai (on adult friendship and television shows).- Tai (on writing about a kiss).
- (on how dance and clothes can define or recalibrate your relationship with your body).
- (on creating connections through dance).
Clay feet by
(on how dancer’s feet always have too many stories to tell).The thing about children... by
(on the joys of having children).How to raise a boy and other quandaries… by
(on raising a boy).Dear Skin by
(on writing a letter to your skin).Our Fights by
(on the reasons we fight).- (on sharing things you love about the people you lost).
Issue 73: Can hardwork kill you? by
(on work life balance).- (on learning from grief).
Take Grief Out of The Closet by
(on what to do when someone is grieving).- (on reading non-fiction).
- (on listening to audiobooks).
Why are we missing awe in our life by
(on the human need to experience awe).Why we understand time wrong by
(on time, grief and guilt).Why are we so tired all the time by
(on finding communities and slowing down).The Rise and Rise of YouTube Podcasting in India by
(on video podcasting in India)- (on fandom and its many forms)
- (on your relationship with your Kindle)
Quiet Zone by
(on communicating with your parents)Ordinary Lives, Ordinary Moments by
(on what we want from cities).- (on what to say when someone asks you what you are doing).
Forced Break to Intentional Living by
(on how career breaks can help you find re alignment).- (on your relationship with Ramen).
- (on the experience of casual dating).
- (on things you will miss in space).
- (on films that feed your soul).
- (on more films that heal you).
25 Ways to Make Someone Smile or Maybe Even Laugh a Little by
(on things you can do to spread joy).My brief encounter with an 80-year-old bookstore in Bengaluru by
(on old bookstores).A love letter to curiosity 🌿 by
(on curiosity and finding joy in art).Nature as a Relentless Artist by
(on nature as an artist).Dimuth Karunaratne: Everyday hero by
(on Srilanka’s best test opener in the 2010’s).Verb, not noun: On writing, identity, and actually doing the work by
(on the many forms of writing and the value of each kind).The ultimate Indian dream? To leave the country by
(on the privilege of leaving and the privilege of staying).I Asked ChatGPT What It Would Do as a Human—I Wasn’t Ready for the Answer by
(on deep conversations with AI about what it means to be human).- (on creativity as a puzzle piece looking for its neighbouring pieces).
How to live an intellectually rich life? by
(on the many moods of an idea).Week 17 - Is my partner's money mine? by
(on what money conversations and what money wants).Why Mumbai? by
(on how cities change and evolve in your memories).- on books as living creatures with a mind of their own).
It’s ok if people don’t like me! by
(on what you think about what other people think).The Emotional Maturity That Age Demands by
(on understanding what wisdom means to you).- (on early prototypes of modern currencies).
#19: How to Make Yourself Miserable on a Trek by
(on what you really experience as a new trekker)- (on becoming a sibling).
#21: How Running Is Changing the Way I Feel by
(on running and feelings).How to survive an all-out crazy world by Mukta Naik (on the importance of young love).
Those frequent Netherlands stints... by
(on understanding how to be alone).Building a bond with nature by
(on connecting and reconnecting with nature).The tenderness of long-lasting friendships by
(on what long distance friendships need).Why reading fiction is indispensable by
(on how reading expands our worldview).- (on sports, mavericks and taking risks).
The One With The Absurdity Of Parenting A Toddler by
(on the joys and struggles of parenting).The One With The Baby’s First Word by
(on your baby’s first words).The One With Parenting And Artificial Intelligence by
(on parenting and artificial intelligence).Dear Dad: Indian Millennial Dad by
and (on writing a letter to yourself as a parent).The One With Toddlers And Self-help Books by
(on toddlers and self help literature).[Part 1] Grief support: An essential education in compassion by
(on how to support a grieving friend).Context Collapse, Context Capital, and Capital Thoughts by
on living in Delhi and context capital).Life in India is a series of bilateral negotiations by
(on why India remains a land of conundrums)Dhoni: Unprecedented in Indian Cricket by
(on an Indian cricketer who kept wickets).What Makes Slower Balls Effective? by
(on what makes slower balls effective).Three different and necessary notebooks I use to keep my life on track by
(on the many kinds of notebooks).On Data and Dogma - Conversation with Himanish Ganjoo by
(on the use of data in cricket and other sports).Did Bazball Work? by
(on looking at test matches through false shots).Dhoni: Unprecedented in Indian Cricket by
(on why MS Dhoni is special as an athlete).An Article on Matchups in T20 Cricket by
(on peeking into numbers sliced by matchups for ESPNcricinfo).- (on what Chesteshwara Pujara does well as a test bastman).
- (on how to rank test match all rounders).
At 36, Jadeja is as good as they get by
(on Ravindra Jadeja efficiency as a bowler and batter).The merchants of controlled chaos by
(on why chaos is not always bad as a cricketer).On Right Hand-Left Hand batting combinations by
(on right and left hand batting combinations in cricket).- (on trigger movements in cricket).
- (on Carlos Alcaraz and the quest for Greatness).
The Romance Of Small Intimacies by
(on the small things that we do for the people we love).Truth Bombs by
(on writing to understand yourself).Do Loners Even Need Friends? by
(on old friendships and what the want in the future).The constant hum: working, living and surviving in urban spaces by
(on stimulation and withdrawal in urban cities).- (on activewear and pockets for women).
- (on learning from butterflies).
- (on cooking as an act of love).
- (on traveling through Vietnam and sharing what you observe along the way).
Conversations, noted: March 2025 by
(on collecting words that stuck).I'm horny all the time: Emotionally horny by
(on being synchronised with someone emotionally).- (on your heart as a bento box)
It's not overthinking; it's metacognition, babe by
(on the difference between overthinking and metacognition)Souls we were meant to find by
(on the emotions and thoughts associated with ending long term relationships).- (on navigating and understanding adult friendships).
more on "low-stakes friendships" by
(on friendship that has lower stakes).my 30 favourite books written by Asian women by
(on book recommendation lists that get you excited about your TBR pile).if you've ever had a crush, you're a Creative by
(on crushes and creativity).Why women's friendships do not survive marriage and motherhood by
(on women’s friendship and how it evolves over time).Why productivity hacks do not work for women? by
(on why productivity hacks do not work for women).Men, Women, and the Mental Load of running a house together by
(on the Mental Load of running a house togetherBombay's first female doctors and the men who made it possible by
(on overcoming barriers and stigma as a professional).The Happiest Country in the World by
(on the relationship between happiness and wealth and the things we fail to see when we review happiness reports around the world).How Do I Make Friends as an Adult? by
(on making friends as an adult).- (on acidity, baths and relationships).
- (on processing material love).
- (on meal planning and how it changes over time).
- (on field notes for a child’s codex).
Why we stopped making Einsteins by
(on how unlimited access to knowledge changes how we approach competence and value).Cartoons, Coffee, and Capitalism by
(on the conditional love you feel for your jobs).Small Encounters, Big Absences by
(on unexpected goodbyes).- (on loving and noticing things in a film).
How did Naturals defeat giants such as Kwality Walls, Amul, etc, in the Indian market? by
(on homegrown ice cream brands).Why is Australia 95% empty? by
(on Australia’s barren landscape).Tend by
(on friendship, support systems and care).Stereotype by
(on telling people where you are from).Money by
(on writing about your relationship to money).Dancing taught me more about leadership than Google by
(on lessons you learn from dance fitness and corporate jobs).I took a vacation with my parents by
(on vacations you enjoy with your parents).
P.S - Share a recommendation from your list in the comments. I will review and add it here. To support Substack writers, please explore the full linked post and explore the writer’s post archives. There are so many more such posts there. I also enjoy reviewing their notes and recommendations. Sometimes the best pieces by a Substack writer is found deep in their Substack archives. And I spend many hours in these archives to curate the best of Substack for you.
Abhi