PinnedMember-onlyDiscovered! The Lost Novels of Nellie Bly!It was the first day of December, 2019, and like Alice, I was down a rabbit hole. I was working on a short-story follow-up to What Girls Are Good For, my 2018 novel following the early career of groundbreaking undercover reporter Nellie Bly. …Journalism10 min read
PinnedMember-onlyThe Only Relationship Question You Ever Need To AnswerOver the years, a fair number of people have approached my wife and me for relationship advice. I guess we look like we have our shit together. When people ask us for the secret to our marriage, Jan often quotes an old NPR story about a couple that had been…Life Lessons5 min read
Jun 25Member-onlyA Post For MenThis is a post for the men. Not gonna debate abortion with you. Women should have bodily autonomy, full stop. I want to make a broader point: We do not get to the Supreme Court overturning Roe without a lot of men hating women. You probably didn’t know this, but…Abortion2 min read
May 10Member-only“Oh Honey, You Shouldn’t Be Here.” — Our Abortion StoryThis was originally published under a pseudonym. With the looming repeal of the Roe v. Wade decision, it seems a more important topic than ever to discuss openly. My wife and I make great kids. We’re just really bad at being pregnant. It took us 18 months of trying to…Abortion12 min read
Mar 19Member-onlyPioneering Feminist Saw Danger of Corporate Greed in 1895Nellie Bly called corporations “Great Money-Grasping Machines, Headless and Heartless.” NELLIE BLY SAYS New York World — February 19, 1895 I hear so much about the employed having no loyalty for their employers. Who says anything about the employer having no loyalty for his employees? No one. And yet this is the secret of the whole trouble. There is almost…Corporations4 min read
Jan 28Member-onlyNellie Bly — It Pays to Treat Employees RightNellie Bly’s 1921 Article About Bad Employers From the start of her reporting career in 1885 to her final days in 1921, Nellie Bly was always — always — a champion for the rights of working women. For all the stunts, all the travel, her guiding star was ever women’s…Nellie Bly7 min read
Jan 27Member-onlyNellie Bly’s Last ColumnWeeks before her death, Nellie Bly continues to confound expectations Today marks the 100th anniversary of Nellie Bly’s tragic death of pneumonia. I’ve been watching with delight as people pen articles, listicles, and tributes to this amazing woman. She deserves all of it, and more. Bly has made up a…Nellie Bly6 min read
Jan 6Member-onlyDear Insurrectionists…It’s been a year since you sacked our nation’s Capitol. If you haven’t been arrested yet, you’re probably still looking over your shoulder. If you have, your life is full of unexpected consequences — lawyer fees, lost jobs, lost friends, fines, jail. Know who isn’t going through that? …January 6 20212 min read
Dec 22, 2021Member-onlyThe Art of the ApologyOne thing that should be taught to us in school or by parents is how to apologize. But it isn’t. No one ever tells us how until the moment when it’s demanded of us, in a situation where we already feel lousy. “Tell your brother you’re sorry!” “Apologize!” Thus we…Language3 min read
Dec 18, 2021Member-onlyThis Day In Nellie Bly History — “Learning Ballet Dancing”New York World, Sunday, December 18, 1887 — Nellie Bly in Short Gauze Skirts Kicks at a Mark How it Feels to Go About in an Abbreviated Costume — Making Her Outfit — Holding on a Bar to Practise — Why It Is Healthful — Comments of the Old Professor — It Seems Easy, but Requires Much Hard Work. I have been learning to be a ballet dancer…Feminism14 min read
