Recommended by Diamantino Almeida
Raffi is CTO of the Emerson Collective and host of the Technically Optimistic podcast. He believes technology, used with intention, can still do good in the world. That is not naivety. It is a position he has earned from years inside some of the most consequential tech organisations running. He asks what optimism actually requires of us. That question sits uncomfortably close to the one I ask every Tuesday.
A highly popular, intellectually rich newsletter and community for lifelong learners pursuing what is true, good, and beautiful, with a strong emphasis on literature, myth, and cultural reflection. It’s a great recommendation for readers who enjoy deep, story-driven explorations of history, philosophy, and culture rather than surface-level commentary.
A thoughtful newsletter on engineering leadership, AI strategy, and systems thinking, with a clear focus on better questions, clearer thinking, and practical management habits. It’s a strong recommendation for readers who want reflective but actionable writing on how to lead teams and navigate complexity.
A health, wellness, and meaning‑focused Substack by a board‑certified ER physician in Chicago, positioned as the place “where western medicine meets health, wellness, and pursuit for a meaningful life.
A Substack hub for philosophy, history, and Orthodox Christianity, built around the Roots of Everything podcast and focused on meaning, modernity, and living a sacramental life in a secular age.
Joel Salinas focuses on clear frameworks, tested prompts, and Monday-morning actions rather than hype, which makes it especially relevant if you’re thinking about leadership in an AI-driven world.
I don't come from media. I come from engineering leadership. But People vs Algorithms is one of the few places where the conversation about technology stays honest about what it actually does to people to work, to culture, to the sense that effort still connects to reward. Troy and Brian argue in real time, change their minds occasionally, and don't pretend to have answers they don't have.
Julian Frazier, PhD writes about psychology, emotional patterns, and self-understanding with a candid, reflective tone. His Substack is especially relevant for readers interested in mental health, identity, and practical frameworks for personal growth, with a mix of insight and lived experience.
I came across Charity Majors’ Substack while digging into more grounded perspectives on modern engineering leadership, and it immediately stood out. She writes with refreshing candor about the realities of running software systems and teams, cutting through hype to focus on what actually works in production. If you care about building resilient systems and effective teams without getting lost in buzzwords, this is a consistently valuable read.
Tonie Marie Gordon, PhD. Behavioral Capital: Thoughtful analysis of how psychological and social assets drive innovation and economic value, blending research-backed insight with practical implications for leaders and product teams. Ideal for readers interested in the human side of tech adoption and decision-making in organizations.
A philosophy‑of‑mind and AI newsletter arguing that current debates about “AI minds” are conceptually confused, and that we need much clearer thinking about brains, consciousness, and language.
Blood in the Machine is Brian Merchant's Substack, focused on the impact of tech and AI on workers and society. It has a clear editorial perspective , skeptical of Silicon Valley power, pro-worker, pro-democratic AI governance. It's well-written, well-researched, and draws a thoughtful readership.
A thoughtful newsletter for high-processing, neuro-complex minds navigating the unwritten rules of corporate life, with practical communication tools and a strong emphasis on clarity, depth, and working on your own terms.
A strategy‑focused AI newsletter for independent, PE, and VC board directors and senior business leaders, giving concise, actionable insights to make AI a real strategic advantage across boards and portfolios.
A tech history newsletter that explores the cultural side of computing and the internet, with a thoughtful, long-view perspective on how technology shapes society. It’s a good recommendation for readers who enjoy well-written, historically informed analysis of tech and digital culture.
Erifili Gounari writes with a bright, ambitious voice about building a happy life, self-belief, and creating a career on your own terms. Her Substack feels especially energizing for readers who want practical encouragement mixed with personal reflection and entrepreneurial perspective.
Timothy writes about power the way I try to write about leadership. He shows what happens when individuals stop thinking and start accepting inevitability. When we tell ourselves the system decides, not us. His work on tyranny is really work on the cost of abdicated judgment. If you care about civic responsibility, about what it means to lead when everything feels predetermined his thinking will change how you see your own choices.
A clear, experience-driven newsletter for CEOs and leadership teams who want to replace reactive planning with stronger strategic control. It’s a good recommendation for readers who care about strategy execution, governance, and practical tools for scaling organizations
I recommend it for people who want a smart, values-aware AI newsletter with a clear voice and broader cultural relevance. It's especially suitable for professionals, leaders, and general readers trying to understand how AI changes work, culture, and human behavior.
If you are into civic education this is a great one from Georgetown University doing collaborative research dedicated to sustainable and effective civic education.
A consultant’s newsletter about thinking clearly in the age of AI, with frameworks, examples, and tools that help you ask better questions and get to sharper decisions. It’s a strong recommendation for leaders and consultants who want to improve their judgment, not just their workflows.
A wide-ranging newsletter from an AI PhD and health/fitness thinker that breaks down exercise science, nutrition, and personal investing with clear, skeptical analysis and outside-the-box reasoning. It’s a good recommendation for readers who want deep dives on methodology, markets, and life decisions from a self-described polymath.
