Why subscribe?
"The unexamined life is not worth living, but the over-examined life makes for excellent material for this Substack publication." — Me, just now
I love to write about life's big questions… with the reverence they deserve… and the irreverence they secretly want.
I write for people who are smart enough to be tired of empty positivity... but self-aware enough not to surrender to cynicism just yet.
The people who know there must be something between "good vibes only" and "everything is terrible."
Think of these essays as philosophical nutrition that actually tastes pretty good.
The truth doesn't have to be a bitter pill.
Sometimes it can taste like ice cream.
Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter and publication archives.
What you’ll receive
Essays that make you feel seen. You know that moment when someone articulates something you've always felt but never had words for? I live for creating those moments. It's like mental acupuncture – sharp little insights that somehow relieve pressure.
Permission to question everything. Especially those precious beliefs you've been carrying around since childhood that might actually be holding you back. We'll dismantle them together, carefully, like taking apart a bomb.
When you subscribe to the FREE PLAN… you get 2 monthly musing posts sent straight to your inbox. This means you don't have to remember to check yet another website. It's one less thing for your brain to track, and your brain already has enough going on.
When you subscribe to the PREMIUM PLAN… you get 2 additional monthly musings, that are deeper and more personal. Plus… you get bonus audio versions of my articles and musings… for those times when your eyes are tired… but your heart isn't. Think of these as the conversations we'd have if we met for coffee and ended up talking until the café staff started stacking chairs around us. (And yes, all of this is whisked conveniently to your inbox!)
So subscribe now (free or paid) … because let’s be honest: If you wait, there’s a solid chance you’ll forget the name of this publication or where you read these words. Subscribe now & spare yourself the digital scavenger hunt. You’ll get thoughtful, funny, sometimes-too-honest essays delivered right to your inbox.
More about me…
I've always been fascinated by human behavior.
I’m part research geek, part philosopher, part comedic instigator.
Oh, and, I have a platonic crush on Aristotle.
Not the awkward kind, where you write his name in your journal surrounded by hearts.
More the kind where you name your son "Ari" as a wink to a dead Greek guy… who can't possibly appreciate the gesture. (Yes, I actually have a teenage son who I named Ari!)
I also share a lot of Aristotle’s philosophies in my writing… but always with a wink of humor.
Hence I’ve named this Substack: “The Stand Up Philosopher.”
In 1999, I created a stylishly designed psychological and philosophical book titled "How To Be Happy Dammit" – which I called “self-help for people who wouldn’t be caught dead reading self-help.”
It was one of the first books (ever) to dare to have a naughty curse word in the title and seriously helpful info inside.
"How To Be Happy Dammit" became a huge bestseller, and was featured in an Eminem music video.
Plus it was in a PBS documentary, “This Emotional Life” – in episode three!
Then came many other bestsellers: "The Bounce Back Book," "Think Happy," "Prince Harming Syndrome," and "How To Succeed in Business Without a Penis" (No worries - this was not a surgical manual. It was an actual business book for women - and loved by some cool gals like Madonna, Arianna Huffington, Donna Karan… and then some).
At this point… I’m a national bestselling author with two million books sold and a leading behavioral change expert, with 1.5 million followers on social media.
I’ve hosted my own columns on Oprah and Psychology Today.
And I’ve been a featured expert on the Today show, The View, CNN, and Real Time with Bill Maher. My work has been covered by the New York Times, Business Week, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Time, Marie Claire, Fast Company, InStyle, Self, ELLE, and the New Yorker.
These day I'm especially excited about…
My new book is called:
"Your To Die For Life: How To Maximize Joy And Minimize Regret… Before Your Time Runs Out"
You can preorder now HERE!
Please know:
Your To Die For Life is NOT about making you obsessed with death.
The goal is to make you more obsessed with LIFE. Now. While you’re here to enjoy it!
Because once you accept that your time here is limited, you start getting pickier about how you spend your time.
The brutal truth:
We're here... then we're not.
And I want to help you to make sure that your "here" part is as bold and meaningful as possible!
»Learn more about “Your To Die For Life”...here…now!
xo, Karen
