Top 15 Substack Newsletters to Read In 2025

Substack has become a go-to platform for outspoken journalists, indie creators, and established media personalities looking to publish directly to their audience without corporate gatekeepers. In 2025, the platform is thriving with specialized content, creative newsletters, and exclusive podcasts. You’ll find writers from various backgrounds each offering unique perspectives on politics, entertainment, culture, and more.

If you’re curious about how to set up your own newsletter or refine your email sender name for better open rates, consult Email Sender Name Best Practice or The Best Email Sender for Your Newsletter to ensure your outreach resonates with subscribers. Below, we’ve curated 15 noteworthy Substacks that exemplify the medium’s power some focusing on local angles, others spanning global news.

1. “Hung Up” by Hunter Harris

What It Covers: Pop culture critiques, celebrity interviews, and behind-the-scenes commentary on Hollywood’s latest. Hunter Harris is known for her witty, unfiltered takes on everything from blockbuster movies to rising stars.

Why Subscribe?

Harris’s distinctive voice and ability to provide fresh angles on the entertainment industry make each post a must-read. If you’re seeking an engaging newsletter that keeps you looped into celebrity culture, Hung Up is top-notch.

2. “Maybe Baby” by Haley Nahman

What It Covers: Reflection, personal growth, and modern relationships. A blend of self-discovery essays and thoughtful interviews, “Maybe Baby” resonates with younger readers exploring identity, mental health, or social norms.

Why Subscribe?

Haley Nahman’s introspective style fosters an intimate reading experience. Each entry provides a calming yet thought-provoking break from daily noise, perfect for a weekly or biweekly wind-down.

3. “Noah’s Politics & Perspectives” by Noah

What It Covers: U.S. politics, global policy debates, and pointed editorials. Noah’s Substack dissects headlines, interprets legislative changes, and offers candid commentary on current affairs ranging from the Biden administration to local policy shifts.

Why Subscribe?

If you want a clear-eyed breakdown of complex political issues, with minimal spin, Noah’s newsletter is a good bet. Subscribers appreciate his accessible style and frequent references to data-driven insights.

4. “London Centric” by Jim Waterson

What It Covers: A hyper-local vantage point of London life from hidden dining spots to cultural events. Jim Waterson lens focuses on day-to-day experiences, including local news coverage, restaurant reviews, and cultural musings.

Why Subscribe?

Whether you’re a London resident or an admirer from afar, London Centric immerses you in the city’s pulse. With curated picks for weekend adventures and an ear for local chatter, it’s your insider guide to the UK capital.

5. “Roxane Gay’s Audacity”

What It Covers: Bold commentary on culture, society, and personal reflections. Roxane Gay best-selling author and essayist utilizes her Substack, “Audacity,” to dive into timely debates about feminism, politics, and the creative world.

Why Subscribe?

Gay’s writing is incisive, personal, and unapologetically outspoken. Her newsletter fosters an environment for critical thought, bridging personal anecdotes with broad cultural critique.

6. “Edinburgh Minute” by Michael Macleod

What It Covers: Brief but impactful local news in Scotland’s capital. Focusing on events, community developments, and hidden gems around Edinburgh, Michael Macleod ensures each read is crisp and accessible.

Why Subscribe?

If you’re intrigued by local journalism especially from a city known for festivals and historical charm Edinburgh Minute distills the main happenings in short, digestible pieces. Perfect for busy professionals who want to keep a local pulse.

7. “Blackbird Spyplane” by Un⋆a and Team

What It Covers: Fashion, subculture, and eclectic pop references. This newsletter soared to popularity by blending style tips with music influences and an irreverent commentary on consumer culture.

Why Subscribe?

Blackbird Spyplane captures a singular aesthetic that merges humor, design, and curated picks everything from rare sneakers to creative electronics. If your aesthetic sense skews streetwear-savvy, you’ll find fresh inspiration in each post.

8. “The Ankler” by The Ankler Collective

What It Covers: Hollywood’s inside scoop industry rumors, box-office breakdowns, power plays, and more. The Ankler is known for telling it like it is, pulling no punches about major studio controversies or star deals.

Why Subscribe?

If your interest in the entertainment world runs deeper than red carpet glimpses, The Ankler offers unfiltered Hollywood talk. Expect in-depth coverage of shifting alliances, funding controversies, and the business side of stardom.

9. “Sociology of Business” by Ana Andjelic

What It Covers: Anthropological and sociological lens on business models, consumer behavior, and brand strategies. This approach goes beyond typical marketing bullet points, examining societal forces that shape commerce.

Why Subscribe?

For deeper reading into why certain brand strategies succeed or fail and how cultural shifts affect your marketing Sociology of Business provides the academic meets practical perspective. Marketers and entrepreneurs glean new angles for campaigns.

10. “One First” by Rebecca

What It Covers: Personal development, lifestyle insights, and professional growth tips. Each edition addresses one major theme productivity, creativity, or well-being packed with real-life examples and research.

Why Subscribe?

Rebecca fosters a supportive environment, encouraging readers to tackle life’s challenges step by step. If you appreciate a measured, empathetic voice that fuses personal experiences with actionable advice, One First is your go-to.

11. Citrini Research

What It Covers: Citrini Research offers in-depth financial analyses, market forecasts, and stock performance breakdowns for traders, investors, and curious onlookers. Expect deep dives into emerging markets, tech IPOs, and macroeconomic trends that shape the global economy. The tone is rigorous yet accessible, helping readers make sense of market signals without the jargon overload.

Why Subscribe?

For those aiming to sharpen their investment strategy or better understand the forces driving the financial sector, Citrini Research provides a regular pipeline of insights grounded in thorough data. The newsletter’s balanced approach mixing big-picture economics with granular stock picks empowers readers to make informed decisions. Whether you’re a casual investor or a finance professional, you’ll discover clear, timely content to stay ahead in the market.

12. Letters from an American by Heather Cox Richardson

What It Covers: Letters from an American offers thoughtful historical context on current U.S. political events. Written by historian Heather Cox Richardson, this newsletter dissects the day’s headlines through a lens of America’s founding principles and democratic development. Each edition connects modern policy debates with their historical roots, helping readers see how present decisions resonate with past precedents.

Why Subscribe?

Richardson’s expertise makes complex governance questions more approachable and relevant. For anyone seeking a deeper understanding of U.S. politics and its historical frameworks, her calm, factual approach supplies clarity rather than hype. Expect a balanced blend of history lessons and news insights in each issue, making it a powerful resource to stay informed about American affairs.

13. The Pragmatic Engineer

What It Covers: The Pragmatic Engineer digs into software engineering best practices, career advice, and real-world solutions to technical challenges. The author merges coding know-how with team management expertise, offering behind-the-scenes glimpses of how top engineering organizations operate. Content often covers scaling systems, DevOps strategies, and building robust developer cultures.

Why Subscribe?

Engineers whether seasoned or just starting gain valuable advice on architecting systems, optimizing workflows, and nurturing strong tech teams. Balancing deep technical insights and leadership tips, The Pragmatic Engineer is indispensable for coders looking to stay current, avoid common pitfalls, and excel in fast-paced tech environments. The weekly bulletins and case studies also cater to engineering managers wanting to refine processes.

14. Lenny’s Newsletter

What It Covers: Lenny’s Newsletter caters to product managers, growth marketers, and startup enthusiasts by sharing best practices, data-backed insights, and firsthand accounts of building successful products. Lenny draws on experiences at Airbnb and other tech companies to illustrate how product strategies unfold, from validating an idea to launching features that delight users.

Why Subscribe?

If you’re eager to see how product-led growth truly works in real companies, Lenny’s Newsletter is a direct route to practical frameworks and real-life case studies. Each edition strikes a balance between strategic thinking and actionable steps, so readers walk away with fresh perspectives on user research, marketing alignment, or growth optimization. Ideal for PMs, startup founders, or anyone craving a product-centric mindset.

15. “Audacity Extended” by Roxane Gay

What It Covers: Spinoff from Roxane Gay’s main newsletter, offering Q&A sessions, deep personal diaries, and exclusive short fiction. “Audacity Extended” stands as a premium tier or additional resource for her most devoted followers.

Why Subscribe?

If you already appreciate Gay’s strong commentary, this extension provides deeper access like deeper rants, behind-the-scenes looks at her writing process, or advanced previews of upcoming books. It’s a full immersion for fans seeking more raw, unfiltered content.

How to Maximize Your Reading (and Writing) Experience on Substack

1. Consider the Substack App

Substack offers an app that consolidates your subscriptions in one feed. This helps you track new posts or issues effortlessly. If you’re subscribed to multiple newsletters, it’s a great way to ensure you never miss an update. If you’re writing your own, the app also fosters easier community interaction.

2. Don’t Skip the Podcasts on Substack

Many authors integrate podcast elements like Q&As or short commentaries. If you’re multi-modal, you can combine written posts with audio segments. This synergy benefits those who prefer listening over reading, broadening your potential audience.

3. Engage with Authors

Substack encourages a personal dynamic. Comment on posts, respond to open questions, or email the creator if they have that feature active. The best part of Substack is direct writer-to-reader community building like a modern spin on the old “letters to the editor.”

4. Starting a Newsletter Yourself

Considering your own Substack? Choose your brand carefully, refine your email sender name for a polished presentation, and consult resources like Email Sender Name Best Practice or The Best Email Sender for Your Newsletter. A well-chosen “From” name, consistent style, and thoughtful distribution schedule help you stand out among an ever-growing wave of new publications.

Conclusion

Substack’s ecosystem continues to expand, offering diverse, top-quality newsletters that cater to nearly every interest be it pop culture, local journalism, or high-level political analysis. The 15 Substack newsletters highlighted here span personal reflections, hard-hitting industry commentary, daily local updates, and more. Each demonstrates unique writing styles and powerful audience engagement strategies, proving that direct writer-to-reader content can thrive without major corporate oversight.

Whether your taste leans toward comedic Hollywood critiques, London’s cultural secrets, or an outspoken stance on global politics, this curated “full list” has something for you. Meanwhile, Substack’s podcasts add another layer of creativity perfect for those who prefer listening to reading. If you’re inspired by these examples and wish to create a strong newsletter presence of your own, remember the importance of a consistent brand identity, thoughtful editorial perspective, and best practices like a polished email sender name. With the right approach, your newsletter can find its niche, build a loyal community, and maybe even rank among the top Substacks to follow in 2025!