#How to grow your Substack in 2025

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Introduction to Substack Mastery V2 with the P.I.L.L.A.R. Framework

It now includes strategies that earned a bestselling badge for my two publications within eight months, as well as mistakes I corrected using a new, methodical approach within a framework. When I first released Substack Mastery in 2024, my goal was to address known pain points of freelance writers, book authors, and content startups so that they could use this growing platform and gain a…

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Olivia Troye at Living It:

It's March 2025, and the future of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid is in jeopardy. Under the second Trump Administration and a Republican-controlled Congress, policies are being enacted that will make it harder for millions of Americans—especially seniors, disabled individuals, and lower-income families—to access the benefits they've earned and rely on to survive. Let me repeat that. Benefits that have been earned. What's happening isn't just an administrative reshuffle; it's an orchestrated attempt to shrink and weaken these programs without openly admitting to cutting them. Field offices are closing, verification requirements are increasing, and funding cuts are making services harder to access. This isn't about efficiency—it's about making Social Security and other safety net programs more difficult to navigate, discouraging people from claiming what they are owed. I strongly recommend reading fellow substacker Judd Legum's article on the memo circulated at the Social Security Administration. It breaks down the internal discussions on the changes that are about to be implemented, including warnings of the detrimental impacts.

The Reality: Barriers to Access and Hidden Cuts

Under the guise of combating fraud, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will now require in-person identity verification for new applicants and those changing direct deposit information. Phone-based verification is being eliminated, forcing millions to show up in person. At the same time, SSA is shutting down multiple field offices and laying off thousands of workers, creating bottlenecks and long wait times. If you're elderly, disabled, or living in a rural area, good luck finding an open office within a reasonable distance. I feel this deeply, especially because of my incredible elderly mom, who faces these same struggles. Asking her to navigate a website alone wouldn't just be frustrating—it would be risky. She comes from a generation that didn't grow up with the internet. While she's incredibly smart and capable, the rapid pace of digital change has overwhelmed her. Suppose your elderly parent or grandparent were forced to manage their Social Security benefits online without guidance. In that case, I worry they could unknowingly fall into a scam—mistakenly entering personal information on a fraudulent site that looks just like the actual SSA page, a tactic called website spoofing. The idea of them being misled or exploited simply because they can't speak to a real person on the phone is heartbreaking. And, how is this truly actually countering fraud? If anything, it makes vulnerable people even more susceptible to it. Furthermore, what happens to our loved ones who can't visit an office in person due to transportation or disability challenges? Despite the fact that many seniors and disabled Americans struggle with digital access, these changes are set to go into full effect on March 31st, 2025, impacting more than 72 million Americans who rely on the platform amid a slew of planned office closures across the country. The Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) website says it plans to shut down at least 47 Social Security field offices in places with large rural communities, including Kentucky, North Carolina, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida.

The attacks on SSA by requiring in-person verification could be harmful to elderly and disable folks, and also in rural areas.

[branwyn-says]

The Looming Present

Reposted from today's post (6 March 2025) on my (free) Substack

I was drafting a post about "craftivism". Makers are feeling pressured lately to respond to the Global Omnishambles in some way. (I like to make bracelets that say things like HOUSE PEOPLE and ELON MUSK IS A FAKE GOTH.) Makers are also feeling a strange pressure to become preppers on some level, since disaster readiness and crafting skills are somewhat overlapping spheres.

But any maker knows they can't be self-sufficient unless they make their own tools, and almost none of us have the means. Like if we’re talking about the utility of popular making skills in your average End Times bunker, most people are going to need to stockpile a lot of supplies. If you’re like me and you don’t have money to stock or a place to pile, that’s not possible. So you feel a kind of pressure to be useful that is not actually useful at all.

For example: the current state of Global Omnishambles made me buy a fucking loom. I can already cook, make simple garments, quilt, mend, care for children, tend the sick and the dying, sing and tell stories, grow stuff, provide mental health guidance, and make a little go a long way. But that doesn’t feel like enough, because nothing feels like enough when you’re poor and the future is unreadable. So I got a damn loom. Not a big one because again, where would I put it.

Now I can make tiny decorative tapestries out of unraveled crocheted blankets against the apocalypse, I guess.

(Not this loom. A less useful loom than this.)

Stopped working on the craftivism post. Too much like an essay. Don’t write essays anymore. I want to keep this blog as a public diary and as a record of my time. I want to connect with my readers. Not in that driven social media engagement way, but in the way of the old internet, where comment sections are conversations, not peanut galleries.

I've returned to Raleigh, after fleeing Raleigh in 2014. Am continually shocked by how often I experience a smell, a sound that I did not know I was homesick for. (The weather today, for instance. The warm grey humid balminess of Raleigh in tornado weather. You wouldn't think a body could miss a thing like that.) Am shocked every time I sniff a pile of sun-baked pine straw or get honked at by a Canada goose and find myself thinking, this is my home.

For much of my life I was not at home in myself, and therefore unable to be at home in any city or landscape. In Baltimore, there was time and space to do the necessary inner work. Now I'm back, and I'm me for the first time ever. I would be happier than I've ever been before, no matter where I was living. But here, I feel like the prodigal daughter returning to fatted calves and warm welcomes.

I also feel a little like a conqueror. Is that strange? Raleigh used to be full of things and people that made me feel like a failure of one kind or another. I do not feel like a failure anymore. I'm not intimidated by all these silver-haired dad bods with their tan slacks and pastel button-up shirts. They used to define the boundaries of what was possible for me to want or achieve. Now I put them in their place at the grocery store. It isn't as much fun as you'd think. Part of me expected everyone I left behind to grow into themselves just like I did. I'm mildly surprised and embarrassed for them when they insist on the old hierarchies. But what am I going to do—pretend I still fit in the box they made for me? Not in my nature.

I came back for a caregiver job that is more or less ideal for me. After years of unemployment, underemployment, and exploitative employment, I am constantly being thrown by how lightly the work sits on me, and by the miracle of having some resources of my own. I'm trying not to become too comfortable. Permanent security doesn't exist, especially for me, especially now.

I am monitoring the Omnishambles as best I can and trying to figure out what I need to be ready for. I'm learning how to defend myself and others and investing in my nursing skills. If I had money or property I would be doing other things. At the moment, I'm just pricing IFAKs. (Do I need the full trauma kit? How much saline solution can I make and what should I store it in. Etc.)

I'm making new friends and returning to the old ones with all my new gifts. Trying to build and rebuild connections. Aren’t we all just fucking lonely? Even if we have partners, don’t we miss having friends? Seeing each other, talking to each other without screens? I do. At last, my friends and I are in the same city. Communication without screens is again possible. I’m trying not to be lazy about taking advantage of those opportunities.

Irony is, I’m the happiest, fittest, strongest, and most grounded version of myself I've ever been. Sometimes I look at myself and I’m like: really? now? I’m 43 and the country is failing and here I am, coming into my own. What's all this strength for? How am I meant to use it?

(I’m using it to make shiny stuff rn but I have time to do other stuff too, you know?)

My orientation weekend, freshman year of college, I was sitting the chapel of the Methodist church, praying. My parents did not go to college. Getting me to college, paying for it, had been their goal and focus my whole life, and I felt invested with a burden. I had something to live up to. I had been raised conservative, educated to be a trad wife. Not allowed to wear pants until I was 14. People around me kept telling me that God had something incredible planned for me—why else would I be the way I am? (I have always been the kind of person for whom an explanation was necessary.)

But I came out of high school half-deprogrammed and working on the other half. I still believed in God. In my own destiny. I no longer believed in the framework my mother had given me for religion, or reality. I felt poised at a crossroads. So I said to God, use me. Whatever I’m meant for, and whatever it takes, I offer myself up to it now. Even if it hurts. I believed in divine providence with youthful simplicity. I didn’t think my pain was God’s doing, but I knew the pain had given me certain gifts. Use me. Make it all mean something. This was the prayer of the youthful prophet Elijah. It is the prayer of all saints. The vessel must be willing to be filled.

I was so unhappy and hurt for so long, and I worked and worked to find meaning, and now I’m bursting with it. Meaning for days. Meaning in excess. Joy in the morning and peace at night. Since 2019, I’ve finally had the bandwidth to do things besides tend my wounds. I’ve had lots of processing time. I’m not confused about things anymore.

There is no such thing as finding Your Purpose. We are all of us multi-purpose. I know some of mine. I’m looking for the others.

I've been working on a certain novel since 2006. There have been five or six drafts, two of which I finished. None of them were right. When I began writing, I asked myself the most crucial question of my own existence. Might have been slightly surprised to discover I wasn’t going to be able to answer that question at the age of 22. Two decades later: I know the answer. This is the draft I’m going to publish. I might end up publishing it for free. That’s how sure I am it has value. That’s how unsure I am that any of us have a future.

(Apparently, I have to be in Raleigh to write a novel. Prophets are not honored in their own country, but they are inspired there.)

I’m stalling, trying to think of a button to end the post. I keep forgetting I don't need those rules and formats anymore. I keep forgetting I came here to be free of the tyranny of Writing for Social Media.

Oh: here’s the button. Talk to me.

Literally talk to me. If we’re already acquainted, tell me what you’re up to. If you kind of know me, tell me things I don’t know. If you’re one of my tumblr/AO3 readers, tell me about yourself. My other homeland has always been the internet. This is the only house I’ll ever build anywhere. Come inside and stay awhile.

[trendsnova]

How to Crush Side Hustles & Build Passive Income in 2025

Having a single income source in 2025 is playing financial roulette. As the cost of living continues to increase and job markets are changing rapidly, millions are opting for side hustles and passive income, not as a need but as a necessity.

Whether you're looking to break free from paycheck-to-paycheck living, save up for that dream vacation, or amass long-term riches, the great news is: there's never been a better time to begin.

What's the Difference?

Let's set things straight:

Side Hustle: Work you do outside of your main job to make additional money. Typically time-for-money.

Passive Income: Money that flows in with minimal everyday effort once the system is in place.

Top Trending Side Hustles in 2025

AI-Powered Freelancing

Use the likes of ChatGPT, Midjourney, or Notion AI to provide writing, design, or strategy services quicker and smarter.

Platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, Contra.

Digital Products

Sell Notion templates, eBooks, online courses, or Canva designs.

Platform: Gumroad, Etsy, Payhip, Teachable.

Print-on-Demand Stores

Create T-shirts, mugs, posters. No inventory required.

Tools: Printful + Shopify or Etsy.

Affiliate Marketing (With a Niche)

Create a blog, TikTok, or Instagram around one niche and suggest products.

Get paid for every referral sale.

Social Media Ghostwriting

Create posts for busy influencers or CEOs with AI and trend monitoring.

Paid by thread, post, or monthly package.

Passive Income Sources That Are Effective in 2025

YouTube Automation

Faceless videos using AI voiceovers, stock visuals, and scripts.

Monetize through ads, sponsors, and affiliate links.

Dividend Stocks & REITs

Invest in regular-dividend-paying companies or real estate trusts.

Passive but needs initial capital.

Niche Blogging (SEO + AI Content)

Create blogs with long-tail keywords.

Monetize through ads and affiliate links.

E-book Series on Kindle

Self-publish short guides, fiction, or specialty nonfiction.

Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) remains a goldmine for creators.

Substack Newsletters

Grow an audience around a particular niche and sell paid subscriptions.

Tips Before You Dive In

Choose your niche: Don't attempt to do it all. Focus triumphs.

Begin with a time-abundant hustle (side hustle) → then create passive systems.

Don't neglect marketing: Even the best products perish without promotion.

Automate: Employ AI tools, schedulers, and platforms that minimize manual labor.

What Not to Do

"Get rich quick" crypto/Ponzi schemes.

Shelling out money for access to rudimentary platforms—most legitimate ones are free or cheap.

Relying on overnight success. Even passive income requires initial hustle.

Thoughts in Conclusion

The concept of making money in your sleep once seemed like a scam. But in 2025, with the right strategy, mindset, and tools, it's a pragmatic way to financial independence.

Start small. Stay consistent. And remember: every millionaire started with one hustle.

[ameliasoulturner]

3 Best Platforms for Aspiring Writers to Launch a Solo Business and Break Free in 2025

If you've ever dreamed of turning your passion for writing into a full-time income and finally saying goodbye to your 9-to-5, you're not alone. Thousands of people are making the leap every year, using their writing skills to build solo businesses that give them freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.

The good news? You don’t need a traditional publishing deal or a journalism degree to make it happen. In 2025, there are more opportunities than ever for writers to carve out their own paths and make real money doing what they love. The internet has leveled the playing field—and with the right tools and platforms, you can create your own lane, attract a loyal audience, and turn your words into income.

But with so many platforms out there, where should a new writer begin? In this article, we're diving into the three best platforms for aspiring writers in 2025—whether your goal is to build a personal brand, create a steady stream of income, or simply do meaningful work on your own terms.

Let’s break it down.

1. Substack: Your Launchpad for Independent Publishing

If you enjoy writing essays, newsletters, or commentary and want to build an email-based audience, Substack is your best friend.

Substack allows writers to create and send email newsletters to their readers, monetize through paid subscriptions, and build a direct connection with their audience. What makes it so appealing is its simplicity. You don’t need to know how to build a website or learn marketing funnels—just write, publish, and share.

But here’s where Substack really shines: it lets you own your audience. Unlike social media platforms where algorithms control who sees your content, Substack delivers your writing directly to inboxes. And in 2025, email is still one of the most powerful tools for building trust and loyalty.

Why It Works for Solo Writers:

Direct Monetization: You can start with free content and slowly introduce paid options as your audience grows. Substack handles payment processing, so you can focus on writing.

Community Tools: You can host discussions, comments, and even podcasts, building a real community around your work.

No Gatekeepers: No editor telling you what to write. Your voice, your topics, your rules.

Writers making anywhere from $500 to over $10,000 per month have built their businesses one email at a time. The key? Show up consistently, be authentic, and deliver value.

Best For: Writers who want to build a loyal readership, share their thoughts or expertise, and get paid directly by subscribers.

2. Medium: Reach a Built-In Audience While You Learn the Game

Medium is like the digital version of a glossy magazine mixed with a public journal. It's perfect for new writers who want to find their voice, test ideas, and reach people without worrying about promotion or SEO right out of the gate.

With Medium’s Partner Program, you can actually earn money based on how much time paying members spend reading your stories. This performance-based model means that high-quality, engaging content can get rewarded—even if you're just getting started.

In 2025, Medium continues to be a top pick for new writers because it takes care of the technical side of blogging. No hosting. No themes. Just you and your writing.

Why It Works for Solo Writers:

Built-In Exposure: Medium’s curated content system can help you reach thousands—even tens of thousands—of readers if your content resonates.

Monetization Without Selling: You don’t need to pitch anything or sell a product. Just write, and if your content performs well, you get paid.

Credibility Boost: Medium content ranks well on Google, so it’s a smart way to build authority in a niche or industry.

A well-written story can live on Medium for years, continuously driving traffic and passive income. That’s not just side-hustle potential—that’s digital real estate.

Best For: Writers who want a clean, focused platform to build a portfolio, grow their reputation, and earn based on content performance.

3. Fiverr: Turn Your Writing Into a Freelance Business

While Substack and Medium are great for content-driven business models, Fiverr is the fast track to getting paid for your writing services.

Fiverr has evolved a lot since its early days of $5 gigs. Today, it’s a thriving marketplace where writers are earning serious money offering services like blog posts, email copy, product descriptions, LinkedIn bios, and more.

What sets Fiverr apart is its reach. Millions of buyers are already looking for help with writing projects. All you have to do is show up with a strong profile and quality samples, and you’re in the game.

Why It Works for Solo Writers:

Immediate Income: You can start earning as soon as someone places an order. No need to build an audience first.

Skill-Based Scaling: As you get more orders and positive reviews, Fiverr ranks you higher in search, which means more visibility and better-paying clients.

Niche Opportunities: You can specialize in areas like resume writing, technical writing, or even writing social media posts. There's room for everyone.

Some freelancers earn $2,000 to $5,000 per month on Fiverr alone. And with the right strategy, you can turn one-time gigs into recurring clients and long-term contracts.

Best For: Writers looking to get paid quickly, build a service-based business, and grow into a full-fledged freelancing career.

Bonus Tips for Building a Sustainable Writing Business

Choosing the right platform is important—but equally crucial is how you show up. Here are a few quick tips to make your writing business thrive in 2025:

1. Niche Down Early: Pick a niche that matches your skills and interests. The more specific your content or services, the easier it is to attract loyal followers or buyers.

2. Focus on Quality Over Quantity: Writing every day won’t matter if it’s not useful, interesting, or original. Take your time, research deeply, and make each piece count.

3. Build Your Brand: Whether it’s your tone, your story, or your values—make sure people know what you stand for. A strong personal brand is what separates you from the crowd.

4. Diversify Your Income: Don’t rely on just one source. You can write on Medium, run a Substack newsletter, and freelance on Fiverr—all at the same time. Diversifying your income streams adds stability and growth potential.

5. Invest in Learning: From SEO and digital marketing to storytelling and productivity, investing in new skills can 10x your results. The more value you bring to the table, the more you can charge—and the faster you grow.

Final Thoughts: Why Now Is the Best Time to Go All-In

There’s never been a better time to be a writer. The barriers are lower. The tools are better. The market is global. And if you play it right, you can build a writing career on your own terms—one that pays the bills, fuels your creativity, and gives you the freedom most jobs never will.

Whether you’re sharing your voice on Substack, building authority on Medium, or landing clients on Fiverr, you have everything you need to launch a solo business in 2025. So if you’re sitting at a desk right now, dreaming of quitting your job—this is your sign. Start writing. Start building. Your solo journey begins now.

[thereal4-1-1]

Can the Feds Arrest State Employees for Talking to a Lawyer? ICE Vs State Government Explained #publicemployees #democracydefense #legalbattle2025 Can state workers be arrested just for speaking to a lawyer? In this powerful video, I uncover how a memo from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers advising state employees to consult legal counsel triggered threats of arrest from federal authorities. Please visit my website to get more information: http://thereal411.org/ What started as a protective measure became a constitutional flashpoint. We look into the growing tension between federal immigration enforcement and state-level autonomy, examining how these power struggles affect real people. From threats against public servants to rising pressure on judicial independence, this story reveals how political overreach impacts our democracy. 🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@TheReal411-f1q?sub_confirmation=1 ⭐⭐⭐Audio Podcast is currently on your favourite platforms: Spotify:https://ift.tt/DvUKFn9 RSS:https://ift.tt/YzRae9K ✅ Important Link to Follow 🔗 Linktree https://ift.tt/KTtJPbg 🔗 Stay Connected With Me. Facebook: https://ift.tt/XotOTRB Instagram: https://ift.tt/XjAPe41 TikTok: https://ift.tt/p2MySGJ Substack: https://ift.tt/TE2LtGQ Fanbase: https://ift.tt/x5RdJb4 Website: http://thereal411.org/ 📩 For business inquiries: thereal411@thereal411.co ============================= 🎬Suggested videos for you: ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-8V2Jhq9hE ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLuW-7TBc6E ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDq6FisSlZE ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMmPJoIG_3I ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA-9ttZOZBE ================================= 🔎 Related Phrases: Can the Feds Arrest State Employees for Talking to a Lawyer, ICE Vs State Government Explained, Tony Evers Immigration Memo, State Workers Legal Rights, Federal Overreach In Immigration, Arrest Threats Against State Employees, Immigration Law Conflicts 2025, Judicial Independence Under Fire, Governor Vs Federal Agencies, Constitutional Crisis Immigration, Legal Rights Of Public Employees #federaloverreach #icevsstates #tonyevers #stateworkersrights #judicialindependence #immigrationlaw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuZLUW79f6Y via The Real 4-1-1 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxx625XoMgCa86RNfaw6TVw May 10, 2025 at 03:00AM

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Introduction to Level 4 of Udemy Course From Zero to Substack Hero

Section 21: Mastery and Beyond on Substack Source link to the image For those who missed, I shared the scripts of 20 sections covering levels 1, 2, and 3 of this exciting course. Today, I will provide a quick intro to Level 4 of From Zero to Substack Hero, which will be available on Udemy soon, but I have already uploaded the videos to my publication on Substack for members. Level 4 of our…

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

The Playbook is the Point: How Trump Turns Words into Weapons and Targets into Enemies

Weaponizing Words, Building Fear, Silencing Dissent

James B. Greenberg

May 11, 2025

We’ve seen this script before—not just in history books, but in the memories of those who fled regimes that began with slogans and ended in silence. The pattern is familiar: label, isolate, inflame, punish, expand, normalize.

What makes Trump’s rhetoric dangerous isn’t just its cruelty—it’s the infrastructure being built around it. This isn’t style. It’s strategy.

Thanks for reading James’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Pledge your support

He doesn’t just insult critics—he marks them. He paints targets on the backs of immigrants, trans kids, and political opponents, then lets the crowd or the state take it from there. Like authoritarians before him, he tests the boundaries—starting with the vulnerable, then his rivals, and eventually, anyone who dissents.

This is authoritarianism in real time: the weaponization of language to create moral panic and public consent for state violence.

Language sets the stage. When Trump calls immigrants “animals,” protestors “thugs,” or opponents “vermin,” he’s not speaking in metaphor—he’s establishing who’s outside the circle of empathy. In every authoritarian regime, violence begins with this redefinition of who belongs—and who does not.

Trump’s power lies in provocation. One crime becomes an “invasion.” One protest becomes a threat to the nation. It’s not sloppy—it’s surgical. Fear is the fuel, and complexity is the enemy. Blame the outsider. Purify the group. Promise control. It’s an old formula, but in a diverse society, it doesn’t unify—it divides. It turns governance into spectacle and punishment into policy.

And he doesn’t just stir fear—he markets it as safety. He creates the fire, then offers to put it out. But fear doesn’t just activate. It desensitizes. Cages, bans, raids—each more outrageous than the last—until outrage becomes background noise.

The first term targeted asylum seekers, Muslims, trans youth. Now, the targets grow bolder: mass deportations, detention camps, civil service purges, prosecutions of political opponents. What’s tolerated at the edges spreads to the center.

This isn’t chaos—it’s construction. Schedule F let him gut the professional civil service. The Insurrection Act could let him deploy troops domestically. A captured Justice Department becomes a weapon, not a shield. These are not campaign bluster. They are working plans.

Control doesn’t begin with a crackdown. It begins when the public shrugs. The lies wear us down. The spectacle numbs. And the longer we pretend this is normal politics, the more normal it becomes.

The next phase goes beyond punishing enemies. It targets resistance itself. Authoritarian regimes start with high-profile dissenters. Trump has called critics “traitors,” prosecutors “animals,” and opponents “vermin.” Expect lawsuits, surveillance, selective prosecutions, even digital “enemies lists.” Not to eliminate dissent entirely—but to scare others into silence.

The tipping point won’t be when the first critic is punished. It will be when the rest of us fall quiet.

But resistance is still possible—and it doesn’t start in Washington. It starts in community. Not just in marches or petitions, but in conversation. In how we talk to neighbors, how we rebuild trust, how we remind each other of the values democracy requires.

Propaganda isolates. Connection disrupts it. Not with shouting, but with honesty. Not with slogans, but with shared humanity.

Because democracy isn’t just a system. It’s a commitment to each other. And when we remember that, we become harder to tear apart.

Suggested Readings

Arendt, Hannah. The Origins of Totalitarianism. New York: Harcourt, 1951.

Ben-Ghiat, Ruth. Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present. New York: W. W. Norton, 2020.

Bernays, Edward. Propaganda. New York: Ig Publishing, 2005. Originally published 1928.

Lakoff, George. Don’t Think of an Elephant! Know Your Values and Frame the Debate. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing, 2004.

Snyder, Timothy. On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century. New York: Crown Publishing, 2017.

Stanley, Jason. How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them. New York: Random House, 2018.

[thejackhopkins]

The Truth Behind Pete Hegseth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iosMelolzgk In this conversation, Jack Hopkins discusses the implications of recent revelations about Pete Hegseth, highlighting concerns over journalistic integrity and the need for citizen engagement in the face of political challenges. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a free press and the role of citizens in demanding accountability from their leaders. 🔔 Looking for new ways to think and grow? Subscribe for inspiring talks on key political issues, life improvement, and strategies to strengthen your resilience! https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealJackHopkins/?sub_confirmation=1 ✅ Important Link to Follow 📰Substack Newsletter Sign-up: https://ift.tt/8caHWKm ✅ Stay Connected With Me. 👉 Instagram: https://ift.tt/BG0qMUj 👉 Threads: https://ift.tt/SoHOL07 👉 Twitter (X): https://ift.tt/QKgHORf 👉 Website: https://ift.tt/KptYEfB ============================= 🎬 WATCH MY OTHER VIDEOS: 👉 The Dark Side Of Trump You Haven't Seen Yet – What He’s Hiding For 2024! Election 2024 Prediction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zJtj9jfJww 👉 How To Deal With A Toxic Boss - Best Trick To Reduce Stress At Work! Mental Health Advice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9wPyjO3Des 👉 How Conspiracies Are Destroying Democracy - Denver Riggleman On 06 Jan Investigation! U.S. Politics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GYQfAJXB9g 👉 Lauren O’Brien - How He Became A Comedy Star With Spot-On Celebrity Impressions! Behind The Scenes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVmaEd1rIa4 👉 Rep. Esther Panitch - Powerful Stand For Justice And Against Anti-Semitism! U.S. Politics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYPrhx9b_LQ ============================= ✅ About Jack Hopkins. Welcome to Jack Hopkins, where I challenge traditional thinking and explore how to experience life more joyfully, resiliently, and productively. I use my knowledge of human behavior to engage with guests who are experts in their fields, drawing out the best insights they have to offer. While many of my podcast episodes focus on politics and important issues like reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and firearms reform, I also discuss topics related to personal growth, self-improvement, and being a better citizen. Join me in these conversations and learn how to think differently and live better! 🔔 Ready to challenge traditional thinking? Subscribe now for insightful conversations & inspiring stories on politics, personal growth, and resilience to help you live better! https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealJackHopkins/?sub_confirmation=1 ================================= #petehegseth , #journalism, #integrity, #citizenengagement, #news, #Trumpadministration, #60Minutes, #media, #ethics, #protests, #hegseth,#Yemen, #signal ⚠️ Disclaimer: I do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of watching any of my publications. You acknowledge that you use the information I provide at your own risk. Do your research. ✖️ Copyright Notice: This video and my YouTube channel contain dialogue, music, and images that are the property of Jack Hopkins. You are authorized to share the video link and channel and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to my YouTube channel is provided. © Jack Hopkins via Jack Hopkins https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu4mm8MxCLvehI-6tEXEnnA April 23, 2025 at 05:18AM

[digitaltoolsblogcom]

Unlock The Best Blogging Platform for 2025!

Looking for the best blogging platform? Compare top options for features, ease of use, and pricing. Start your blog with the perfect platform today!

Starting a blog is one of the best ways to share your thoughts, build a brand, or even make money online. But with so many options out there, choosing the best blogging platform can feel overwhelming. I remember struggling with this decision when I started—I wanted something easy to use, yet powerful enough to grow with me. After testing multiple blog platforms, I realized that the right choice depends on your goals, budget, and technical skills. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best options, share my experiences, and help you find the best platform for a personal blog or business. Let’s dive in and find the perfect home for your blog!

What Makes a Blogging Platform the Best?

Choosing the best blogging platform isn’t just about picking a name from a list—it’s about finding the right fit for your needs. When I started blogging, I made the mistake of jumping on the first free platform I found. It seemed easy at first, but as my blog grew, I hit roadblocks—limited customization, poor SEO, and no way to make money. That’s when I realized that the best blog platforms share a few key features.

1. Ease of Use – Does It Feel Like Home?

If a platform feels like a complicated puzzle, you’ll spend more time figuring things out than actually blogging. A good platform should have a simple setup, an intuitive dashboard, and easy publishing tools. For beginners, Blogger and WordPress.com offer the easiest start, while Wix and Squarespace provide drag-and-drop convenience.

2. Customization – Can You Make It Truly Yours?

A blog is like a digital home—you want it to reflect your personality or brand. Platforms like WordPress.org offer thousands of themes and plugins, while Wix and Squarespace give beautiful design flexibility. But some platforms, like Medium and Substack, keep things minimal, limiting how much you can customize.

3. Monetization – Can You Make Money Blogging?

If you’re serious about blogging, you might want to earn from it. The best free blogging platforms often come with limitations—you can’t run ads or use affiliate marketing. WordPress.org gives full control over monetization, while Blogger allows AdSense. Medium and Substack let you earn through memberships.

4. SEO & Performance – Will Google Love Your Blog?

A beautiful blog is useless if no one finds it. WordPress.org is the best blogging platform for SEO, offering advanced plugins like Yoast SEO. Wix and Squarespace have built-in SEO tools, but Blogger and Medium have limitations. Speed, mobile-friendliness, and optimization tools also play a big role.

5. Community & Support – Are You on Your Own?

Ever felt lost and wished for a helping hand? A strong support system matters, whether it’s customer service, forums, or a blogging community. WordPress.org has a massive support community, Wix and Squarespace have dedicated customer service, while Medium and Substack offer built-in audiences.

6. Pricing – Free vs. Paid: What’s Worth It?

Free platforms are great for beginners, but they come with trade-offs—limited features, ads on your site, or lack of monetization options. WordPress.org requires hosting, but it’s the most scalable. Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com have paid plans for extra features.

The best platform for a personal blog or business depends on your goals. If you want full control, WordPress.org is the winner. If you prefer simplicity, Blogger, Medium, or Wix might be better. And if monetization is key, choose a platform that supports ads and affiliate links.

Still unsure? Don’t worry—I’ll break down the best blogging platforms in the next section so you can make an informed choice.

Best Blogging Platforms in 2025 (Pros & Cons)

So, you’re ready to start blogging, but there’s one big question: What’s the best blogging platform? With so many options, it’s easy to feel lost. I’ve been there! When I started, I picked the first free platform I found, only to realize later that it lacked customization, had poor SEO, and didn’t allow monetization. I had to start over—don’t make the same mistake!

To save you time (and frustration), I’ve broken down the best blog platforms based on your needs, whether you want a personal blog, a business blog, or a way to make money blogging. Let’s dive in!

Learn More

[cleverhottubmiracle]

HAPPY 2025!! I can’t believe I am writing those words. Last year flew by, and to be honest, I was glad to slam the book closed on 2024. It was such a challenging year for me personally and I am looking forward to all the milestones 2025 will bring. Atlantic-Pacific turns 15. I turn 40. And, I celebrate a big wedding anniversary! I am hoping ’25 will be much more kind than ’24. I thought I would kick off the year with an updated Q&A. Every few months on Atlantic-Pacific I like to round up some new (and a few recurring) questions that I receive via comments, emails, and DMs. So today I am answering some of your most recently asked questions! You can also see older Q&A posts here, here, here, and here as well as visit many of my FAQ posts below. If I didn’t answer your question this time, please reach out and I will try my best to get to it! How do you achieve your low bun hair? See my tutorial here. What is your everyday make-up routine? See it here. How did you start Atlantic-Pacific? Read about it here. How and when did you get into the fashion industry? You can read all about that here. Q: Where do you see the influencer space heading? A: The influencers space is more nuanced than ever. Where we used to see HUGE OVERT trends in the space, I think the growth in diverse platforms and the overall number of influncers means we are seeing the rise of micro communities. Influencing will continue to grow due to more and more people of all ages turning to different platforms for advice, education, and inspiration. Now that there are creators covering any and all topics, and there are so many platforms to deliver information, the influencer space continues to grow and find new ways to reach people. In the beginning traditional blogs were king, then YouTube exploded, then Instagram took over. Now you can look out and find so many different platforms to be successful on and through different types of content. The diversity of platforms allows creators to focus on the content they love and how they choose to deliver – writers on Substack, comedy on TikTok, educational videos on YouTube, controversial conversations on podcasts, etc. Marketing dollars continue to flow to the influencer world because time and time again many influencers can prove their ROI better than traditional marketing. We have seen year over year increases in digital marketing spend in every sector and I don’t think that is going to change. Overall the space will continue to grow and thrive, but now it is much less about being the ‘biggest’ or following a trend and more about micro influence. It is about building communities and having more specific interests to attract a very like minded audience that is highly engaged. And thanks to the growth of different platforms to reach this audience you can do this in different ways and how it feels most authentic to you. One trend I do hope to see is the influencer space more widely embracing privacy, especially for children and non consenting individuals (people in the background of videos, being included in content without permission). Next to time I think one of the most valuable things in our lives is privacy. I think authenticity and sharing is still important, and I am not trying to call any one influencer or type of influencer out, I just hope we can all embrace being safe and protecting our peace in what can be a dangerous online world. Q: Any collabs in 2025 or co-branded product? A: This comes up every year, and always makes me feel so grateful that so many of you enjoyed my past collabs and may be looking forward to more. At the moment, the answer is no. I took a very intentional pause in 2024 and am open to possibilities moving forward. I am having conversations, but nothing is set in stone at the moment. For me a product collaboration is my ultimate stamp of approval. It needs to be the right brand fit, the right price point, and the brand has to have the team/bandwidth to execute new quality designs that can be delivered on time with great customer service. I prefer not to partner with brands that have done multiple collaborations in the past and careful with brands that are too green or with little experience. It is all a delicate dance and after many successful, beautiful collaborations that I am so proud of, I will only commit to the perfect fit moving forward. Q: Ins and Outs for 2025? A: Sometimes I hate year end trends, but this year I loved reading so many intentions for 2025 with what is ‘in’ and what is ‘out’. I do set goals, but they are typically quarterly, and usually professionally grounded. That being said, I’ll take a stab at my ‘Ins and Outs’ for 2025 below: IN: secondhand shopping, monthly purges, taking up a new active hobby, shutting down negativity, learning to cook new dishes, handwritten notes, recognizing rest is important and being unproductive at times is okay and not lazy, and consistency over controlled perfection. OUT: doomscrolling, obsessing over the weather in hurricane season (this is joke but also not a joke), too much mindless Amazon spending, being impatient with Penny when she is having an anxious day, sending the reply (text or email) ASAP vs. ruminating, creating a more concrete working schedule. Q: How often do you clean out your closet? How do you decide what to keep vs. get rid of? What do you do with your old clothes? A: Okay, this is always my most asked question. I’ve decided to do a BIG, BIG post on this topic and it will go live later this week! Q: Cute professional work attire? Lightweight clothes for a trip to India? Do you offer personal styling services? A: One thing I have tried to embrace over the years is that I can’t be everything to everyone and I need to stay in my lane. I love fashion and sometimes will dip my toe in beauty and lifestyle where is makes sense. I don’t like doling out advice or giving product recommendations if I am not confident in them. I haven’t worked in a true professional environment in over five years and even then it was more of a ‘wear whatever you want’ office. I have never been to India (would love to go) and wouldn’t want to give recommendations as I am not well versed enough in the climate or culture to provide sound advice. I LOVE dressing myself, but dressing others is a whole different type of art. I have so much respect for stylists, but I am not one! I love answering your questions but always want to honest about where I can truly add value. This hopefully keeps you coming back and trusting me. Q: What is a trend you used to love you find yourself no longer reaching for? What is a trend you are looking forward to in 2025? A: I have a hard time answering questions about letting go of something because I never want to offend anyone. Trends ebb and flow, but know if you love something, WEAR it. For me personally, I am not reaching for overt western boots, headbands, or oversized tunics as much as I used to. This is not at all to claim they are ‘out’, I just find myself gravitating towards different items in my closet! As for 2025, I am most looking forward to sheer materials and the return of more romantic/feminine dressing. I am also not hating the trend of styles becoming more voluminous and baggy. I think when done in a more sophisticated way, mixing and matching volume can be so fun and beautiful. ITEM SPECIFIC QUESTIONS: Q: Where did you get your silver Adidas? A: I bought mine on Nordstrom, but sadly they are sold out. They are still in stock here and here! Q: Best understated luxury bag that won’t break the bank? A: For me that would be the Savette pochette. They are well made, timeless, and I personally love a top handle design. I have the bag in three colors now! Q: Favorite item you bought this year? A: This Oscar De La Rent runway skirt that is SO fab. Almost all my favorite purchases this year were second hand! Q: Favorite outfit of 2025? A: It would probably be this outfit or this one. I think having style means to have a common thread in how you dress but also to be ever evolving. These two outfits feel like a grown up version of 2012 Blair – and I love that! Q: How to create your own personal style and a unique closet? A: I actually did a whole post on that here. It can be frustrating while you are experimenting and figuring out what works for you and makes you feel great. My biggest piece of advice is to take it slow and not invest in anything until you feel you have really nailed what you feel is your unique style expression. Q: Can you do more styling posts? A: In 2024 I did a lot of styling posts and you can see a few examples here, here, and here. I have vowed to do more in 2025! On my list are how to style the button down, loafers, a simple bodysuit, and more. If you have any specific requests DM or email me! The post THE FIRST Q&A OF 2025! appeared first on Atlantic-Pacific. Source link

[norajworld]

HAPPY 2025!! I can’t believe I am writing those words. Last year flew by, and to be honest, I was glad to slam the book closed on 2024. It was such a challenging year for me personally and I am looking forward to all the milestones 2025 will bring. Atlantic-Pacific turns 15. I turn 40. And, I celebrate a big wedding anniversary! I am hoping ’25 will be much more kind than ’24. I thought I would kick off the year with an updated Q&A. Every few months on Atlantic-Pacific I like to round up some new (and a few recurring) questions that I receive via comments, emails, and DMs. So today I am answering some of your most recently asked questions! You can also see older Q&A posts here, here, here, and here as well as visit many of my FAQ posts below. If I didn’t answer your question this time, please reach out and I will try my best to get to it! How do you achieve your low bun hair? See my tutorial here. What is your everyday make-up routine? See it here. How did you start Atlantic-Pacific? Read about it here. How and when did you get into the fashion industry? You can read all about that here. Q: Where do you see the influencer space heading? A: The influencers space is more nuanced than ever. Where we used to see HUGE OVERT trends in the space, I think the growth in diverse platforms and the overall number of influncers means we are seeing the rise of micro communities. Influencing will continue to grow due to more and more people of all ages turning to different platforms for advice, education, and inspiration. Now that there are creators covering any and all topics, and there are so many platforms to deliver information, the influencer space continues to grow and find new ways to reach people. In the beginning traditional blogs were king, then YouTube exploded, then Instagram took over. Now you can look out and find so many different platforms to be successful on and through different types of content. The diversity of platforms allows creators to focus on the content they love and how they choose to deliver – writers on Substack, comedy on TikTok, educational videos on YouTube, controversial conversations on podcasts, etc. Marketing dollars continue to flow to the influencer world because time and time again many influencers can prove their ROI better than traditional marketing. We have seen year over year increases in digital marketing spend in every sector and I don’t think that is going to change. Overall the space will continue to grow and thrive, but now it is much less about being the ‘biggest’ or following a trend and more about micro influence. It is about building communities and having more specific interests to attract a very like minded audience that is highly engaged. And thanks to the growth of different platforms to reach this audience you can do this in different ways and how it feels most authentic to you. One trend I do hope to see is the influencer space more widely embracing privacy, especially for children and non consenting individuals (people in the background of videos, being included in content without permission). Next to time I think one of the most valuable things in our lives is privacy. I think authenticity and sharing is still important, and I am not trying to call any one influencer or type of influencer out, I just hope we can all embrace being safe and protecting our peace in what can be a dangerous online world. Q: Any collabs in 2025 or co-branded product? A: This comes up every year, and always makes me feel so grateful that so many of you enjoyed my past collabs and may be looking forward to more. At the moment, the answer is no. I took a very intentional pause in 2024 and am open to possibilities moving forward. I am having conversations, but nothing is set in stone at the moment. For me a product collaboration is my ultimate stamp of approval. It needs to be the right brand fit, the right price point, and the brand has to have the team/bandwidth to execute new quality designs that can be delivered on time with great customer service. I prefer not to partner with brands that have done multiple collaborations in the past and careful with brands that are too green or with little experience. It is all a delicate dance and after many successful, beautiful collaborations that I am so proud of, I will only commit to the perfect fit moving forward. Q: Ins and Outs for 2025? A: Sometimes I hate year end trends, but this year I loved reading so many intentions for 2025 with what is ‘in’ and what is ‘out’. I do set goals, but they are typically quarterly, and usually professionally grounded. That being said, I’ll take a stab at my ‘Ins and Outs’ for 2025 below: IN: secondhand shopping, monthly purges, taking up a new active hobby, shutting down negativity, learning to cook new dishes, handwritten notes, recognizing rest is important and being unproductive at times is okay and not lazy, and consistency over controlled perfection. OUT: doomscrolling, obsessing over the weather in hurricane season (this is joke but also not a joke), too much mindless Amazon spending, being impatient with Penny when she is having an anxious day, sending the reply (text or email) ASAP vs. ruminating, creating a more concrete working schedule. Q: How often do you clean out your closet? How do you decide what to keep vs. get rid of? What do you do with your old clothes? A: Okay, this is always my most asked question. I’ve decided to do a BIG, BIG post on this topic and it will go live later this week! Q: Cute professional work attire? Lightweight clothes for a trip to India? Do you offer personal styling services? A: One thing I have tried to embrace over the years is that I can’t be everything to everyone and I need to stay in my lane. I love fashion and sometimes will dip my toe in beauty and lifestyle where is makes sense. I don’t like doling out advice or giving product recommendations if I am not confident in them. I haven’t worked in a true professional environment in over five years and even then it was more of a ‘wear whatever you want’ office. I have never been to India (would love to go) and wouldn’t want to give recommendations as I am not well versed enough in the climate or culture to provide sound advice. I LOVE dressing myself, but dressing others is a whole different type of art. I have so much respect for stylists, but I am not one! I love answering your questions but always want to honest about where I can truly add value. This hopefully keeps you coming back and trusting me. Q: What is a trend you used to love you find yourself no longer reaching for? What is a trend you are looking forward to in 2025? A: I have a hard time answering questions about letting go of something because I never want to offend anyone. Trends ebb and flow, but know if you love something, WEAR it. For me personally, I am not reaching for overt western boots, headbands, or oversized tunics as much as I used to. This is not at all to claim they are ‘out’, I just find myself gravitating towards different items in my closet! As for 2025, I am most looking forward to sheer materials and the return of more romantic/feminine dressing. I am also not hating the trend of styles becoming more voluminous and baggy. I think when done in a more sophisticated way, mixing and matching volume can be so fun and beautiful. ITEM SPECIFIC QUESTIONS: Q: Where did you get your silver Adidas? A: I bought mine on Nordstrom, but sadly they are sold out. They are still in stock here and here! Q: Best understated luxury bag that won’t break the bank? A: For me that would be the Savette pochette. They are well made, timeless, and I personally love a top handle design. I have the bag in three colors now! Q: Favorite item you bought this year? A: This Oscar De La Rent runway skirt that is SO fab. Almost all my favorite purchases this year were second hand! Q: Favorite outfit of 2025? A: It would probably be this outfit or this one. I think having style means to have a common thread in how you dress but also to be ever evolving. These two outfits feel like a grown up version of 2012 Blair – and I love that! Q: How to create your own personal style and a unique closet? A: I actually did a whole post on that here. It can be frustrating while you are experimenting and figuring out what works for you and makes you feel great. My biggest piece of advice is to take it slow and not invest in anything until you feel you have really nailed what you feel is your unique style expression. Q: Can you do more styling posts? A: In 2024 I did a lot of styling posts and you can see a few examples here, here, and here. I have vowed to do more in 2025! On my list are how to style the button down, loafers, a simple bodysuit, and more. If you have any specific requests DM or email me! The post THE FIRST Q&A OF 2025! appeared first on Atlantic-Pacific. Source link

[chilimili212]

HAPPY 2025!! I can’t believe I am writing those words. Last year flew by, and to be honest, I was glad to slam the book closed on 2024. It was such a challenging year for me personally and I am looking forward to all the milestones 2025 will bring. Atlantic-Pacific turns 15. I turn 40. And, I celebrate a big wedding anniversary! I am hoping ’25 will be much more kind than ’24. I thought I would kick off the year with an updated Q&A. Every few months on Atlantic-Pacific I like to round up some new (and a few recurring) questions that I receive via comments, emails, and DMs. So today I am answering some of your most recently asked questions! You can also see older Q&A posts here, here, here, and here as well as visit many of my FAQ posts below. If I didn’t answer your question this time, please reach out and I will try my best to get to it! How do you achieve your low bun hair? See my tutorial here. What is your everyday make-up routine? See it here. How did you start Atlantic-Pacific? Read about it here. How and when did you get into the fashion industry? You can read all about that here. Q: Where do you see the influencer space heading? A: The influencers space is more nuanced than ever. Where we used to see HUGE OVERT trends in the space, I think the growth in diverse platforms and the overall number of influncers means we are seeing the rise of micro communities. Influencing will continue to grow due to more and more people of all ages turning to different platforms for advice, education, and inspiration. Now that there are creators covering any and all topics, and there are so many platforms to deliver information, the influencer space continues to grow and find new ways to reach people. In the beginning traditional blogs were king, then YouTube exploded, then Instagram took over. Now you can look out and find so many different platforms to be successful on and through different types of content. The diversity of platforms allows creators to focus on the content they love and how they choose to deliver – writers on Substack, comedy on TikTok, educational videos on YouTube, controversial conversations on podcasts, etc. Marketing dollars continue to flow to the influencer world because time and time again many influencers can prove their ROI better than traditional marketing. We have seen year over year increases in digital marketing spend in every sector and I don’t think that is going to change. Overall the space will continue to grow and thrive, but now it is much less about being the ‘biggest’ or following a trend and more about micro influence. It is about building communities and having more specific interests to attract a very like minded audience that is highly engaged. And thanks to the growth of different platforms to reach this audience you can do this in different ways and how it feels most authentic to you. One trend I do hope to see is the influencer space more widely embracing privacy, especially for children and non consenting individuals (people in the background of videos, being included in content without permission). Next to time I think one of the most valuable things in our lives is privacy. I think authenticity and sharing is still important, and I am not trying to call any one influencer or type of influencer out, I just hope we can all embrace being safe and protecting our peace in what can be a dangerous online world. Q: Any collabs in 2025 or co-branded product? A: This comes up every year, and always makes me feel so grateful that so many of you enjoyed my past collabs and may be looking forward to more. At the moment, the answer is no. I took a very intentional pause in 2024 and am open to possibilities moving forward. I am having conversations, but nothing is set in stone at the moment. For me a product collaboration is my ultimate stamp of approval. It needs to be the right brand fit, the right price point, and the brand has to have the team/bandwidth to execute new quality designs that can be delivered on time with great customer service. I prefer not to partner with brands that have done multiple collaborations in the past and careful with brands that are too green or with little experience. It is all a delicate dance and after many successful, beautiful collaborations that I am so proud of, I will only commit to the perfect fit moving forward. Q: Ins and Outs for 2025? A: Sometimes I hate year end trends, but this year I loved reading so many intentions for 2025 with what is ‘in’ and what is ‘out’. I do set goals, but they are typically quarterly, and usually professionally grounded. That being said, I’ll take a stab at my ‘Ins and Outs’ for 2025 below: IN: secondhand shopping, monthly purges, taking up a new active hobby, shutting down negativity, learning to cook new dishes, handwritten notes, recognizing rest is important and being unproductive at times is okay and not lazy, and consistency over controlled perfection. OUT: doomscrolling, obsessing over the weather in hurricane season (this is joke but also not a joke), too much mindless Amazon spending, being impatient with Penny when she is having an anxious day, sending the reply (text or email) ASAP vs. ruminating, creating a more concrete working schedule. Q: How often do you clean out your closet? How do you decide what to keep vs. get rid of? What do you do with your old clothes? A: Okay, this is always my most asked question. I’ve decided to do a BIG, BIG post on this topic and it will go live later this week! Q: Cute professional work attire? Lightweight clothes for a trip to India? Do you offer personal styling services? A: One thing I have tried to embrace over the years is that I can’t be everything to everyone and I need to stay in my lane. I love fashion and sometimes will dip my toe in beauty and lifestyle where is makes sense. I don’t like doling out advice or giving product recommendations if I am not confident in them. I haven’t worked in a true professional environment in over five years and even then it was more of a ‘wear whatever you want’ office. I have never been to India (would love to go) and wouldn’t want to give recommendations as I am not well versed enough in the climate or culture to provide sound advice. I LOVE dressing myself, but dressing others is a whole different type of art. I have so much respect for stylists, but I am not one! I love answering your questions but always want to honest about where I can truly add value. This hopefully keeps you coming back and trusting me. Q: What is a trend you used to love you find yourself no longer reaching for? What is a trend you are looking forward to in 2025? A: I have a hard time answering questions about letting go of something because I never want to offend anyone. Trends ebb and flow, but know if you love something, WEAR it. For me personally, I am not reaching for overt western boots, headbands, or oversized tunics as much as I used to. This is not at all to claim they are ‘out’, I just find myself gravitating towards different items in my closet! As for 2025, I am most looking forward to sheer materials and the return of more romantic/feminine dressing. I am also not hating the trend of styles becoming more voluminous and baggy. I think when done in a more sophisticated way, mixing and matching volume can be so fun and beautiful. ITEM SPECIFIC QUESTIONS: Q: Where did you get your silver Adidas? A: I bought mine on Nordstrom, but sadly they are sold out. They are still in stock here and here! Q: Best understated luxury bag that won’t break the bank? A: For me that would be the Savette pochette. They are well made, timeless, and I personally love a top handle design. I have the bag in three colors now! Q: Favorite item you bought this year? A: This Oscar De La Rent runway skirt that is SO fab. Almost all my favorite purchases this year were second hand! Q: Favorite outfit of 2025? A: It would probably be this outfit or this one. I think having style means to have a common thread in how you dress but also to be ever evolving. These two outfits feel like a grown up version of 2012 Blair – and I love that! Q: How to create your own personal style and a unique closet? A: I actually did a whole post on that here. It can be frustrating while you are experimenting and figuring out what works for you and makes you feel great. My biggest piece of advice is to take it slow and not invest in anything until you feel you have really nailed what you feel is your unique style expression. Q: Can you do more styling posts? A: In 2024 I did a lot of styling posts and you can see a few examples here, here, and here. I have vowed to do more in 2025! On my list are how to style the button down, loafers, a simple bodysuit, and more. If you have any specific requests DM or email me! The post THE FIRST Q&A OF 2025! appeared first on Atlantic-Pacific. Source link

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Section 10: How Marketing & Sales Strategies on Substack

Substack Education from Udemy Summary of my Udemy Course “From Zero to Substack Hero.” Image source from the video location Purpose of this Series for New Readers This is a new series upon request from my readers. I recently developed a course titled “From Zero to Substack Hero” and published it on Udemy and shared it on Content Marketing Strategy Insights owned by Dr Mehmet Yildiz who kindly…

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

9/11 and 1/6

How an American nightmare becomes real

Timothy Snyder

A moment ago I awoke from a nightmare about 9/11.

I was visiting the Empire State Building in New York when an airplane crashed into it from the side.  The whole building buckled for a moment, then nothing else seemed to happen.  I was by myself, without any friends or family, and I just ran down to the exit, staircase after staircase.  Getting out was the thing to do.  But no one else was doing it.

I think this sense of inertia during an emergency was something that stayed with me from the real 9/11, when the World Trade Center was attacked.  When the first building was hit, it was somehow not clear that the second building should also be evacuated.  

In my dream about the Empire State Building, there was no siren.  When I got to the lobby, people were just milling around, and all of the doors were closed and locked.  There seemed to be no way out.  One handicapped entrance was opened for a moment, to allow a woman in a wheelchair to come in.  In the dream, I felt a little guilty as I squeezed by her and went the wrong way through the door.  The doors closed again.  No one else left the building.  My example did not make a difference.  They were all going to die.

I somehow ended up in a nearby building, some kind of tourist center where people waited before entering the Empire State Building.  Inside was a group of senior citizens, waiting for a tour of the building.  I tried to explain to them what was happening.  If people would not leave the Empire State Building, at least more should not go in.

But I was just a guy, I wasn't wearing a uniform, I didn't have a microphone, and they didn't pay attention.   They gave me that look people give you when you are the entertainment and the entertainment is not good.  They hadn't seen the plane hit the building, and they thought that I was some sort of nut.  A lady to my left, wearing a red-white-and-blue dress and with some kind of red-white-and-blue ornament in her hair, starting laughing at me.  They were going to have their tour.

In the dream, I knew that the building was going to come down.  And there seemed to be nothing I could do.  The problem was as clear as day, but no one wanted to see it.  People preferred to risk everything rather than believe that there was a risk.  With the senior citizens were two security guards.  They had seen the plane hit, but they could somehow not draw the conclusions.  They wanted to talk to me about how it could have happened.  Wasn't it just some kind of accident?  Wasn't someone in charge?  And wouldn't everything somehow be okay in the end?

Are your dreams as easy to analyze as mine?  I sometimes have, in real life, that Cassandra feeling that I had in the dream: when I predicted that Russia would invade Ukraine in 2014; when I broke the story of Trump and Russia in 2016; when I asked people to work against American regime change in 2017; when I predicted in 2020 that Trump would try some sort of coup to stay in power, or tried to explain that his big lie would be his legacy.

The obvious trigger of this dream was the Senate vote preventing an investigation of the domestic insurgency of 1/6.  The proposal was modelled after the 9/11 commission, which is why 9/11 was on my mind.  9/11 is unforgettable; nearly three thousand Americans lost their lives.  The terrorist attacks of 9/11 raised questions about foreign policy and airport security.  The terrorist attack of 1/6 raised deeper questions about how our country is governed, and who we have become as a people.

In 2001, speaking in the House of Representatives, President Bush said that Al Qaeda hated "what they see right here in this chamber: a democratically elected government."  That is what we wanted to hear, because it meant that we were attacked because we were the good guys.  That probably wasn't really what Al Qaeda had in mind on 9/11, but it was what Americans had in mind on 1/6.  They stormed the very chamber in which President Bush spoke, and they were there to halt the procedures of a democracy.  They were attacking, precisely, "democratically elected government."

I have the Cassandra feeling this spring because it is so obvious where all of this is heading.  President Trump tells a big lie that elections are rigged.  This authorizes him and others to seek power in extra-democratic ways.  The lie is institutionalized by state legislation that suppresses voting, and that gives state legislatures themselves the right to decide how to allocate the electoral vote in presidential elections.

The scenario then goes like this.  The Republicans win back the House and Senate in 2022, in part thanks to voter suppression.  The Republican candidate in 2024 loses the popular vote by several million and the electoral vote by the margin of a few states.  State legislatures, claiming fraud, alter the electoral count vote.  The House and Senate accept that altered count.  The losing candidate becomes the president.  We no longer have "democratically elected government."  And people are angry.

No one is seeking to hide that this is the plan.  It is right there out in the open.  The prospective Republican candidates for 2024, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Josh Hawley, are all running on a big lie platform.  If your platform is that elections do not work, you are saying that you intend to come to power some other way.  The big lie is designed not to win an election, but to discredit one.  Any candidate who tells it is alienating most Americans, and preparing a minority for a scenario where fraud is claimed.  This is just what Trump tried in 2020, and it led to a coup attempt in January 2021.  It will be worse in January 2025.

9/11 led us to the invasion of Iraq, the foreign policy disaster that marked our century.  1/6 leads us to a catastrophe on that scale, but inside our own country.  It is not at all clear that the plan to take power undemocratically will work, but it is clear that it will generate a lot of resistance.  African Americans are right now being told the absurd lie that the problem in America is that it is too easy for them to vote.  As the scenario plays out, all Americans will face an open denial of everything they have been told about their country.

In such a scenario, it is not clear what the armed forces or civil servants would do.  Most likely they would fracture.  An oath to defend the Constitution is hard to honor when it is unclear what it means.  Both those who were stealing an election and those who were defending votes would claim that the Constitution was on their side.

The Supreme Court would rule, but would anyone pay attention?  Those who have decided to overthrow democracy believe that the Court is on their side, which is why they are proceeding as they are.  If they were proven wrong in January 2025, it would be too late; they would not change course.  Those who are defending voting rights expect the Court to rule against voting, since that is what it generally does.  If the Court rules against voting in the setting of antidemocratic regime change, this will seem screamingly illegitimate to a very large number of Americans. No Court, no Constitution.  No Constitution, no rule of law.  No rule of law, widespread violence.  The collapse of the United States follows.

When Trump told his big lie, the airplane hit the building.  What unfolds from there has a certain logic.  It can be stopped, but only if it is understood.  Everything happens fast.  It is so easy to look away, to imagine it was all an accident, to think that institutions will save us.  They will only save us if we save them first.

The anti-voter laws proposed and passed by Republican state legislatures around the country move the scenario to its next step.  Halting them might well be the only way to halt the scenario as a whole.  Businesses that want to avoid chaos between now and 2022 and prevent system breakdown in 2024 would be well advised not to donate to politicians who repeat the big lie and suppress the vote.

We have to act now.  This is what no one wants to hear.  We want to believe in American democracy.  We want to take pride in new laws, a growing economy, the end of covid.  I get all of that.  I want to feel that way too.  I have not yet figured out how to tell this story.  In waking life I feel as I did in the dream, facing those senior citizens.  I couldn't convince a single one of of them.  And so I just stood in the doorway and kept talking.  And woke up in the middle of the night and wrote this.