Bad Brain alternatives: newsletters like it

SubstackSeveral times a week · last post 9 days ago

From recent posts: Postcards by Hasif publishes essays on mental health, existential philosophy, and the psychology of productivity for an audience seeking introspection on modern life. The publication consistently blends personal…

Likely audience: newsletter subscribers

2 shared topics

Substacklast post Aug 2, 2026

Welcome to Cheryl Strayed's newsletter. Everything is free right now. The paid "Dear Sugar" newsletter is on a long-time hiatus.

Likely audience: Mental health advocates

2 shared topics

SubstackSeveral times a week · last post 9 days ago

From recent posts: Oldster Magazine publishes weekly link roundups, personal essays, interviews, and podcast episodes centered on aging, culture, literature, and health for its readership. The publication mixes curated content lists with…

Likely audience: senior citizens

2 shared topics

SubstackEvery two weeks · last post 44 days ago

postcards and letters by people, to people.

Likely audience: college students

2 shared topics

SubstackSeveral times a week · last post 11 days ago

raw reflections while doing my laundry and chores.

Likely audience: Mental health advocates

2 shared topics

SubstackWeekly · last post 11 days ago

From recent posts: How To Cure A Ghost publishes reflective essays and workshop announcements focused on trauma, vulnerability, and identity in the digital age. The publication targets writers and survivors seeking community, offering…

Likely audience: Individuals processing grief

2 shared topics

SubstackWeekly · last post 9 days ago

From recent posts: The Mizrahi Perspective publishes personal memoirs, geopolitical analysis, and reflections on the Israeli diaspora. The publication mixes intimate family histories with hard-hitting commentary on the Israel-Palestine…

Likely audience: Family historians

2 shared topics

SubstackWeekly · last post 12 days ago

From recent posts: (un)Mentionable is a personal essay newsletter that explores mental health, grief, and identity through first-person narratives. Its content spans dissociative disorder, psychiatric treatment, suicide loss, and radical…

Likely audience: Mental health advocates

2 shared topics

SubstackWeekly · last post 8 days ago

From recent posts: The Courage to Live It publishes personal essays and poetry on fatherhood, grief, spirituality, and creativity, often framed as daily writing projects. It is written for readers interested in intimate, first-person…

Likely audience: poetry readers

2 shared topics

SubstackMonthly or less · last post 51 days ago

The less than aesthetic side of creating a beautiful business - marketing, mindset, and the real hours - for creative women building toward freedom.

Likely audience: small business owners

2 shared topics

SubstackMonthly or less · last post 22 days ago

From recent posts: A business-focused newsletter featuring personal essays on faith, mental health, and growth alongside practical content strategy advice. Recent issues blend reflective writing on habit-change and spiritual isolation…

Likely audience: Individuals seeking personal growth

2 shared topics

SubstackWeekly · last post 9 days ago

From recent posts: The Inner Work Dispatch publishes weekly mental health essays, guided identity exercises, and live discussions on topics ranging from grief and civic engagement to sexual assault and nervous system regulation. The…

Likely audience: individuals experiencing grief or loss

2 shared topics

SubstackWeekly · last post 9 days ago

Observador de gráficos y de la calma cotidiana. Navego la volatilidad de los mercados financieros de día y busco la estructura a través de las palabras de noche. Una mirada honesta, sin clichés, sobre construir una vida…

Likely audience: traders

2 shared topics

SubstackMonthly or less · last post 35 days ago

From recent posts: Small Things Growing publishes personal essays and memoirs that examine grief, parenting, and the intersection of technology with human emotion. The publication targets readers interested in intimate reflections on…

Likely audience: Parents and caregivers

2 shared topics

SubstackSeveral times a week · last post 7 days ago

From recent posts: Rising Through Ruin publishes weekly personal essays and paid 'Rebuilding Diaries' focused on grief, addiction recovery, and trauma for readers navigating emotional healing and accountability. The content blends…

Likely audience: mental health advocates

2 shared topics

SubstackWeekly · last post 13 days ago

A newsletter and community for people who dream of a world in which parenting and caregiving aren’t only valued and supported, but treated with the curiosity and fascination they deserve.

Likely audience: Mental health professionals

2 shared topics

SubstackEvery two weeks · last post 27 days ago

From recent posts: Savage Hunger by Louise O'Neill is a personal Substack newsletter featuring monthly cultural round-ups, memoir writing reflections, and author interviews. The publication covers book publishing, theatre, film, and…

Likely audience: Book lovers

2 shared topics

SubstackEvery two weeks · last post 32 days ago

Learning to trust my inner voice. Join me! I write about love, grief, healing, art, the moon, and resistance 🌙✨🌻

Likely audience: Individuals navigating personal grief or life transitions

2 shared topics

SubstackMonthly or less · last post 12 days ago

From recent posts: Some Days are Shit publishes personal essays and book reviews focused on grief, mental health, and the intersection of loss with daily life, travel, and relationships. The publication targets individuals navigating…

Likely audience: mental health advocates

2 shared topics

SubstackMonthly or less · last post 42 days ago

From recent posts: Women's Barbell Club publishes personal essays and practical guides on fitness, mental health, and women's athletic topics, ranging from grief and exercise to prosthetic insurance and workout playlists. It is written…

Likely audience: fitness enthusiasts

2 shared topics

SubstackEvery two weeks · last post 26 days ago

From recent posts: The Omission publishes a rotating mix of personal essays on grief, geopolitics, and mental health alongside analytical pieces on algorithmic manipulation, Iranian nuclear research, and platform economics. The…

Likely audience: philosophers

2 shared topics

SubstackEvery two weeks · last post 16 days ago

From recent posts: Many The Great and Terrible Things publishes long-form essays, short stories, and personal letters exploring psychology, philosophy, and cultural topics. The publication targets an audience interested in deep dives into…

Likely audience: Horror fiction readers

2 shared topics

SubstackMonthly or less · last post 27 days ago

From recent posts: What Are We Even Doing Here? publishes personal essays, poetry, and memoirs focused on identity, grief, and mental health for readers seeking intimate reflections on life transitions. The publication mixes formats…

Likely audience: transgender individuals

2 shared topics

SubstackMonthly or less · last post 6 days ago

From recent posts: Wellness with Sophie publishes personal essays on grief, habit formation, and metabolic health alongside practical fitness challenges and life lessons. The publication targets readers seeking emotional intelligence…

Likely audience: Individuals experiencing grief or loss

2 shared topics