A Personal Message
The news slowed down for a minute tonight, so before we possibly go to war with Iran, I wanted to share a personal note. Over the past week, I've received a lot of messages from many of you. Some of you have noticed the darker circles under my eyes. Others have told me that I don't seem as motivated or as excited when making my videos. That I look exhausted. And the truth is: you're right. I am exhausted.
The past two weeks have probably been the busiest stretch I've had in quite a while. Every day has felt like a sprint—early mornings, late nights, non-stop research, interviews, editing, posting, and engaging with all of you. It's been intense. But here's the important part—despite being tired, I'm more motivated and energized than ever. Let me tell you why.
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First and foremost, it's because of you. This community, all of you who engage with my work, challenge me, support me, and keep showing up—you give me energy. Every comment, every message, every thoughtful discussion fuels me. It reminds me that what we're doing here matters. In just the past month on Substack alone, we've had over 40 million views. On TikTok? Over 130 million views in the past week alone. Our platform is now the third most engaged-with news platform in the entire world. We're behind only Fox News and the Daily Mail. That's not just significant; it's historic.
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Keep in mind, this is largely a two-person operation—myself and my part-time employee. And yet, we're outperforming major networks like CBS, MSNBC, ABC, and nearly every other news and political influencer globally. I don’t share these numbers to brag. I share them because I want you to understand why, even when I'm running on empty, I keep going. Because I love this work. Because it matters.
Hard work has been woven into my DNA for as long as I can remember. It’s why I started college at 14. It’s why I began law school at 18. It’s why I post 15-20 times every single day. It’s why I haven't taken a real day off in a very long time. And it’s why, even when the days are long and the nights are short, I feel a deep passion for what we're building together.
There are sacrifices, of course. Sometimes it means missing time with friends or family. Sometimes it means working through weekends, or being "on" 24/7 to cover breaking news. But every sacrifice feels worth it because of the impact we’re making. I receive countless messages from readers who tell me how much they appreciate having a news source that feels transparent, accessible, and free of corporate influence. That’s why I push through the fatigue. Because I know this matters to you, and it matters to me.
What we're building here is more than just numbers. It's about trust. It's about access. Just in the past couple of days, I had the privilege of speaking with Terry Moran, one of my journalistic idols. Yesterday, I conducted an exclusive interview with Governor Gavin Newsom right here on this platform. Two months ago, I was the first reporter, after Rachel Maddow, to speak with Senator Cory Booker following his record-setting speech on the Senate floor. These moments fuel me. They remind me why I started this journey in the first place. They reaffirm that there is space for independent voices willing to put in the work.
I also want to acknowledge that burnout is real in this line of work. I talk to many creators and journalists who have had to step back entirely because the pace becomes unsustainable. I am deeply aware of that risk. But I also know myself—when I feel tired, it’s a signal to rest where I can, but it’s not a signal to quit. My passion for journalism, for storytelling, for connecting with all of you is still burning bright.
Yes, I am tired. But no, I’m not burnt out. I am driven. I am passionate. And I love this work more than anything.
Maybe tonight I'll get a bit more sleep. Maybe I won't. But please know this: I’m okay. I’m not going anywhere. And together, we are building something extraordinary.
If you believe in what we’re doing here, and want to be a part of this journey as it continues to grow, I invite you once again to subscribe. Every subscription helps sustain and expand this work, giving us the freedom and resources to bring you the stories and voices that matter. Your support allows me to stay fiercely independent and keep doing the work I believe in.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support means everything. And I promise you—the best is still ahead.
