A not-quite-newsletter from a woman who got into journalism sideways, stayed too long, argued too much, managed to lead the place (once or twice) and somehow only got fired once. ...So far.
OMG - welcome to the "I have no plan" club. I've read your newsletter and am enormously proud to be your first subscriber. But back to the status of having no plan.
As a former Swiss citizen, I emigrated to Canada nine years ago. I had a suitcase and two cats, but no plan in my luggage. In 2025, I have become a Canadian citizen and finally have a plan: I can vote. And I will.
Other than that, I remain true to my serendipity status and cultivate the favour of options and chances. And it is precisely this random mode that has presented me with many independent, freelance and enormously professional journalists. As a former editor of a city magazine in Switzerland, I encounter this fact, which makes my old heart beat faster.
Rachel Gilmore and you belong to this guild of outstanding storytellers, fact-checkers and fearless journalists. Thanks to you and all the writers in this valuable genre.
“How I Managed” is a perfect book title! Maybe you could write “How I Manage” sooner and then “How I Managed” later once you officially retire from Management.
Congratulations on the unintended success! Looking forward to reading.
I also came to Substack without a plan three months ago. I created the profile on a whim and wrote about how I felt like I was constantly on the edge of panic with how Trump was talking about Canada. After I had written it, I felt better. I didn't care that only 18 people have ever read that story. The point was, I wrote about how I felt. I shared it with the world, and that made me feel better. So I kept going, writing about my experiences in hopes that it helps others with theirs.
I was horrified about what happened to Rachel Gilmore and had posted about it myself that day. So when I saw your post and saw that someone, a colleague, was going to bat for her, I knew I needed to follow you. I love finding authentic people who aren't afraid to stand up for what is right. Those are my people. I can't wait to read your stories Karyn!
I've been trying to get Karl Dockstader on here, and was glad to hear your interview and see his reference to your accidental substack. I know there is quite a bit of time spent on the day-job, but these "behind the curtains" less formal postings are a great way to learn (about yourself, others lean from you, etc).
I've been blogging since the 1990's using various platforms. I don't quite fit into Substack as I don't have a single theme where an "audience" can know if they want to read what I want to write. What I post is what I'm thinking about at the moment, and that has changed considerably over the decades.
I only recently learned/accepted I'm Autistic. I first needed to accept, partly as I was heading to burnout, then got official diagnosis because -- Imposter syndrome. Apparently these regularly changing deep-dive learning "themes" are called "special interests".
You know, a few years ago I started to wonder if my brother might be autistic, as people started to talk about Asperger's Syndrome more in the media and I became aware of it. I never mentioned it to him, because I am not a doctor and of course - I don't even know if it would be helpful if I was right at this point, in his 60s.
It isn’t about accommodations, as those are not offered to adults (despite performative progressive claims to the contrary that some workplaces make). It was about me trying to make sense of the world around us. While it can't fix anything (as we aren't what is broken), I am able to better understand all the awkward conversations and bullying I've received my entire life (not only in school).
Since recent documentation updates, Aspergers has been merged with the rest of Autism as that separation based on capitalist "functioning" labels is supremacist. Within the Western world, Autism is understood within a eugenics frame given the Anglosphere and to a lesser extent Germanic studies that much of current Western thinking is built on.
Anti-racism and intersectionality are good systems-based frameworks for understanding many things, including diversity in gender, sexual orientation and neurotype. I'm a systems person (computer systems, network systems, etc), so see nearly everything through a systems lens.
For some people, that is all they need to start to feel better about themselves and to stop blaming themselves and hating themselves when someone else misinterprets them.
OMG - welcome to the "I have no plan" club. I've read your newsletter and am enormously proud to be your first subscriber. But back to the status of having no plan.
As a former Swiss citizen, I emigrated to Canada nine years ago. I had a suitcase and two cats, but no plan in my luggage. In 2025, I have become a Canadian citizen and finally have a plan: I can vote. And I will.
Other than that, I remain true to my serendipity status and cultivate the favour of options and chances. And it is precisely this random mode that has presented me with many independent, freelance and enormously professional journalists. As a former editor of a city magazine in Switzerland, I encounter this fact, which makes my old heart beat faster.
Rachel Gilmore and you belong to this guild of outstanding storytellers, fact-checkers and fearless journalists. Thanks to you and all the writers in this valuable genre.
I love that impulsive spirit - your and your cats! Thanks again for the support.
Thank you and it is my great pleasure to be part of the support-team. And as the Americans like to say: "Thank you for your service."
Sounds like we have attitudes in common. I’m going to sit a while 😀
lol. Good to meet a soul mate - we find each other in the strangest places.
Confessions of a battered journo? Bring it on!
lol. You know it,
You're welcome 🤷 You became my first subscriber too, inspiring me to write my 2nd post 🤩 thank you!
I love that- Pass it forward!
“How I Managed” is a perfect book title! Maybe you could write “How I Manage” sooner and then “How I Managed” later once you officially retire from Management.
Congratulations on the unintended success! Looking forward to reading.
I liked it as a book title too. But I think I have to retired before I write it. lol. It may contain burns.
I also came to Substack without a plan three months ago. I created the profile on a whim and wrote about how I felt like I was constantly on the edge of panic with how Trump was talking about Canada. After I had written it, I felt better. I didn't care that only 18 people have ever read that story. The point was, I wrote about how I felt. I shared it with the world, and that made me feel better. So I kept going, writing about my experiences in hopes that it helps others with theirs.
I was horrified about what happened to Rachel Gilmore and had posted about it myself that day. So when I saw your post and saw that someone, a colleague, was going to bat for her, I knew I needed to follow you. I love finding authentic people who aren't afraid to stand up for what is right. Those are my people. I can't wait to read your stories Karyn!
Thank you for taking the time to write such a kind note- and it’s great to meet a kindred spirit.
I've been trying to get Karl Dockstader on here, and was glad to hear your interview and see his reference to your accidental substack. I know there is quite a bit of time spent on the day-job, but these "behind the curtains" less formal postings are a great way to learn (about yourself, others lean from you, etc).
I've been blogging since the 1990's using various platforms. I don't quite fit into Substack as I don't have a single theme where an "audience" can know if they want to read what I want to write. What I post is what I'm thinking about at the moment, and that has changed considerably over the decades.
I only recently learned/accepted I'm Autistic. I first needed to accept, partly as I was heading to burnout, then got official diagnosis because -- Imposter syndrome. Apparently these regularly changing deep-dive learning "themes" are called "special interests".
"Well, isn't that special?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puwoUKhZQbg
You know, a few years ago I started to wonder if my brother might be autistic, as people started to talk about Asperger's Syndrome more in the media and I became aware of it. I never mentioned it to him, because I am not a doctor and of course - I don't even know if it would be helpful if I was right at this point, in his 60s.
I am 56 -- and I believe it is extremely helpful.
It isn’t about accommodations, as those are not offered to adults (despite performative progressive claims to the contrary that some workplaces make). It was about me trying to make sense of the world around us. While it can't fix anything (as we aren't what is broken), I am able to better understand all the awkward conversations and bullying I've received my entire life (not only in school).
Since recent documentation updates, Aspergers has been merged with the rest of Autism as that separation based on capitalist "functioning" labels is supremacist. Within the Western world, Autism is understood within a eugenics frame given the Anglosphere and to a lesser extent Germanic studies that much of current Western thinking is built on.
Anti-racism and intersectionality are good systems-based frameworks for understanding many things, including diversity in gender, sexual orientation and neurotype. I'm a systems person (computer systems, network systems, etc), so see nearly everything through a systems lens.
There are self-assessment tools available https://embrace-autism.com/autism-tests/
For some people, that is all they need to start to feel better about themselves and to stop blaming themselves and hating themselves when someone else misinterprets them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1AUdaH-EPM
I’m winging it over here, too. But my plan’s a tad bigger.