Big News (My Next Chapter)

Poems, deep dives, and a secret podcast—LET'S GO.

Hi friend,

Big news around these parts.

After years of kind requests: “Can you share more poetry?” “I’m off Instagram. Can you post somewhere else?” I finally have an answer.

I’ve created a new online home for all of my writing, especially poetry, and I truly can’t wait to connect with you there.

Though this won’t change your current inbox experience, I’m now on Substack. If you haven’t heard of it, not to worry, it’s simply an online platform that allows me to post text, photos, podcasts and more. Best of all, it lets me stay focused on the work itself, without worrying about algorithms or character limits.

My plan for this space is first and foremost, to continue to share The Monthly(ish) Newsletter that I know you love, but I’m also excited because this space will allow me to write and publish so much MORE than I did before.

So what does this mean for you?

Well, it could mean a lot, and it could also mean absolutely nothing.

First of all, there’s nothing you need to do. You’re already here and if you do nothing, you’ll continue receiving The Monthly(ish) Newsletter.

But if you’d like to start receiving my poetry to your inbox, just click here to go to your settings and subscribe to the new Section titled “Poetry.”

In the past, when people want to read my poetry, I direct them to Instagram. While I’ll still share small amounts of poetry there and little BTS peeks of the writing life on Stories, I’ll be putting my best work over here. As a free subscriber, you’ll get periodic never-before-seen poems straight to your inbox. I’m excited because this will allow me to play and innovate more, without worrying about the IG algorithm. My hope is these poems will help you see something in a new way or put words to something you’ve always felt but haven’t been able to name.

More fun things, including…A NEW Podcast!

That’s right! A video podcast is coming! By joining this new platform, I have the opportunity to create another section of my newsletter, a paid area where I will be able to offer lots more content than ever before. Perhaps the biggest announcement is The Lounge, a secret, private podcast designed for all the lovers of The Monthly(ish) Newsletter.

If you were ever familiar with my work at Risen Motherhood, you know I’m an OG podcaster and it runs in my blood. At The Lounge I’m dropping a private video podcast where I spill all the behind-the-scenes tea—answering subscriber-only questions about writing, business, clothes, design, motherhood, books, creativity, theology, and anything else you guys want to know. It’s like the free monthly newsletter on steroids. Plus, it HAS VIDEO. I’ll post links, share pics and recs, and tell you alllllll the stuff.

In addition to receiving the video podcast of The Lounge each month, paid subscribers will receive:

• Deep Dives: If you’ve been around for a while, you might remember my Deep Dives where I explore a topic in an expansive way, like doubt in God or helping your kids prep for technology. Now that I have more time to write, I have lots more Deep Dives and essays coming at you (things like my thoughts on AI and motherhood, and building a family culture around creativity, are in the hopper)!

• Creative Experiments & Collaboration. I actually have a lot more ideas for this space of things I’ve wanted to do with you all but haven’t had capacity for in the past. Things like book clubs, bringing in friends to The Lounge, and teasing out ideas for new books and letting you help shape and form them. By being a paid subscriber, you’ll have guaranteed access to anything new that I create.

• Access to the full archives. As the content well grows and my team and I move over past things I’ve written, you’ll have access to everything we’ve got.

• My unending gratitude. Your subscription allows me to continue sharing much of my work for free and helps me tangibly put food on the table for my family.

I still plan to keep some of my content free and accessible to anyone who wants it. But when we made the decision to sunset Risen Motherhood, I took time to carefully consider what was next for me as a full-time writer and content creator. And after a lot of thought and prayer, I truly believe this is the right next step—offering paid content will allow me to stay online and keep writing and sharing with all of you.

Subscribing is easy, it’s just $7/month. (Or even cheaper at $60/annually—that’s less than a cup of coffee these days!) and you’ll get The Lounge, Deep Dives and alllll the poetry (If you want. You can also opt out of anything that doesn’t serve you!) If you’re in, just hit the below button. (There’s already a Lounge pod ready for you to tune into immediately!)

As an artist, I believe in an ethos of paying people for their work, and if my art has ever touched you, helped you, or encouraged you, I’d appreciate it if you'd consider becoming a paid subscriber. Every day I receive notes from readers talking about how the Lord is using a poem, or phrase or story in their life to grow and change them. Others send me messages saying things like, “My sister-in-law doesn’t know Jesus but she follows you and loves your work! Pray for her!”

And I do.

It’s these messages that keep me doing what I do and I have no plans to stop. But by grabbing a paid subscription, you’ll make it a whole lot more possible. While I believe you will receive the full value in return through the content, please know that you are making a significant difference for me to be able to still share much of my work for free.

All of you on my email list matter so much to me and I don’t take any subscription for granted. If you don’t go paid, no problem. Technically, nothing changes for you at all. But it will be the paid subscribers that will make it possible to keep it free.

No matter what you decide, I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you stick around for the next chapter of my career. There are so many good things in store, and I can’t wait to share them all with you.

Take care,

Laura