I Grow Strong Again
A weekly Substack newsletter merging themes of motherhood, midlife ambivalence, and grief. I honor the beautiful and brutal parts of life and believe in storytelling as a conduit to empathy. We share more in common than what divides us.
Welcome. I’m grateful for your presence here. In this section, you will learn why I write and the subjects about which I write. I believe specific, inclusive, and empathic language is crucial in this increasingly hostile world.
Why Substack and why now?
I believe that each of us belongs to the human family, and we all deserve a place to freely share our stories without worrying about recrimination, judgment, or criticism.
On my Substack, I take seriously: inclusion, respect, non-violence, and celebrating all people and their stories.
What my subscribers want
Subscribers to my Substack are looking for permission to be human—to feel conflicted, to move slowly, to love imperfectly, and to find meaning in small moments.
They want to feel appreciated, seen, and deeply understood.
They value emotional and reflective storytelling and meaningful human interactions.
What you’ll get
I won’t rush you toward a solution or an empty promise. Instead, I will sit with you in the midst of your unanswerable questions and the tension of uncertainty.
By reading my essays, you’ll be stirred to emotion—sometimes laughter resulting from joy and delight, other times tears of healing or grief. You’ll be transformed and challenged by nuanced and complex stories that offer vibrant and rich glimpses into our common humanity.
My essays and guest features will help you dig deeper into discovering what matters most to you, finding your brave story and ways you want to give voice to it, and receiving support from other subscribers in a community of thoughtful, sensitive people.
“Jeannie helps us take an aerial view of life… She invites us to celebrate and respect others who may be different from us.”
— Sherry Taveras, a Substack reader
Free subscribers get:
Weekly essays on topics related to our shared human experiences
Monthly guest features from authors who share their stories about strength and resilience
Paid subscribers get all of the above, plus:
Access to my 45-minute talk, “Declutter Your Life” (spoiler: it’s not about spring cleaning)
Monthly, one-hour virtual gathering for a chance to chat with Sarah and me (beginning in 2026).
Your paid subscription of only $5 per month helps fund my creative work while supplementing our family’s income as I function in the role of primary caregiver for five kids. Thank you kindly for helping me continue to use my words as conduits of healing and hope.