Congratulations on your continuing success with your Substack byline.
It's no surprise that you come across people that are unaware about your presence on Substack. Although it's a small sample size, hardly anyone in my circle of friends even knows Substack exists. (And some of them would never pay a subscription fee for quality content, but that's another matter.)
Carry on! Canadians need good journalism that is enlightening and challenges us to see the big picture.
That last para makes me so happy for you, Paul. At a time when a lot of deeply talented people are feeling devalued, your experience is a good reminder that a better life is possible. PS don’t (re)do the podcast if it feels like work. Stick with what you love and are good at. The rest will take care of itself.
Thanks for sharing the sad news about John Griffin, the individual who shaped my pop music preferences more than any other. His top albums of 1985 list was pinned to my bulletin board for years: Husker Du, Scritti Politti, the Replacements, Richard Thompson... A writer with the confidence to deliver a (correctly) favourable review of alt-country opener, Lone Justice, after they had been booed off the stage by rabid U2 fans.
My affinity for your writing is similar, Paul. I'm proud to have been a subscriber from early on and appreciate the full range of your offer, from the ruminations on the modern communications industry, the election panel to musical discoveries. Yay, Caity Gyorgy!
Subscribe, people! Support Canadian content. You won't be disappointed.
Here's a point to ponder: Your on-air personality is engaging. Whether it's voice-only on radio or voice-and-visual, you're someone people like to listen to. When we read a print version of you, we get only a sliver of your personality. Your periodic live events are a plus, but I always seem to be out of town when you schedule an Ottawa event. I feel the loss of your broadcasts keenly.
yeah, came here to say "more panels" with interesting characters talking about interesting events, like, for example the time when Chrystia Freeland resigned in real-time and Jen Gerson literally belly-laughed at the prime minister's unfolding not very good day, or when Kory Teneycke brought his full gangster schtick, or the quiet, informative assurance of Allison Gifford.
Hey Paul, I really miss the podcast so the following question is coming from a point of loving bias. You often mention how much work the podcast is which is what makes it so difficult to continue. Why is there such a gap between the panel Zoom-type calls and the podcast? Is it all the back-end coordination of scheduling the interviews? I hope the barrier isn't technical or logistical -
I really don't notice a material difference in the quality of the content between the podcast and the panel Zoom calls.
Joining with your many friends, admirers, relatives, subscribers, creditors, trolls and (even some) haters in congratulating you on your stellar success over these 4 years. Regardless of who you were writing for, you've always been a "must read" and like a fine scotch, you're only getting better with age. And I'm going to continue to support your work whether you like it or not!
Mr. Wells' success on the launch of his Substack column is what Canada needs far more of to get our economic growth back in the game.
He took a risk and left behind the security of a salaried job to create his own business platform. The rewards of success are both financial and personal and they are his. Judging by the flurry of Canadian journalists who are aping his Substack model, it would seem that his peers in the industry like what they see too.
I have always valued your voice and viewpoints. Along with the likes of Jonathan Kay at Quillette, your voice offers a uniquely Canadian flavour. I don’t always agree with you but that is the whole point.
For some reason the "next level subscriber" link just took me to an overview page with no option to upgrade my subscription - at least not one I can find. Is there another link I can use/share? In the meantime, happy to report that my partner upgraded to paid this week.
Somewhere in the page there should be a mention of “plan” that you can click on and make changes. I'm a bit hobbled by me inability to see this page on my own Substack but this is how I change my plan on other Stacks I subscribe to.
Congratulations on your continuing success with your Substack byline.
It's no surprise that you come across people that are unaware about your presence on Substack. Although it's a small sample size, hardly anyone in my circle of friends even knows Substack exists. (And some of them would never pay a subscription fee for quality content, but that's another matter.)
Carry on! Canadians need good journalism that is enlightening and challenges us to see the big picture.
That last para makes me so happy for you, Paul. At a time when a lot of deeply talented people are feeling devalued, your experience is a good reminder that a better life is possible. PS don’t (re)do the podcast if it feels like work. Stick with what you love and are good at. The rest will take care of itself.
Thanks for sharing the sad news about John Griffin, the individual who shaped my pop music preferences more than any other. His top albums of 1985 list was pinned to my bulletin board for years: Husker Du, Scritti Politti, the Replacements, Richard Thompson... A writer with the confidence to deliver a (correctly) favourable review of alt-country opener, Lone Justice, after they had been booed off the stage by rabid U2 fans.
My affinity for your writing is similar, Paul. I'm proud to have been a subscriber from early on and appreciate the full range of your offer, from the ruminations on the modern communications industry, the election panel to musical discoveries. Yay, Caity Gyorgy!
Subscribe, people! Support Canadian content. You won't be disappointed.
I always smile when I see you refer to your work at [a magazine].
I tell everyone I know.
What you provide is exceedingly difficult to get anywhere else, esp. Canada.
Keep on pushing.
Here's a point to ponder: Your on-air personality is engaging. Whether it's voice-only on radio or voice-and-visual, you're someone people like to listen to. When we read a print version of you, we get only a sliver of your personality. Your periodic live events are a plus, but I always seem to be out of town when you schedule an Ottawa event. I feel the loss of your broadcasts keenly.
Fortunately we're bringing The Panel back this afternoon.
yeah, came here to say "more panels" with interesting characters talking about interesting events, like, for example the time when Chrystia Freeland resigned in real-time and Jen Gerson literally belly-laughed at the prime minister's unfolding not very good day, or when Kory Teneycke brought his full gangster schtick, or the quiet, informative assurance of Allison Gifford.
I’ve considered ramping that up quite a bit. It’s easy to hope on a Zoom-type call and post the result.
Hey Paul, I really miss the podcast so the following question is coming from a point of loving bias. You often mention how much work the podcast is which is what makes it so difficult to continue. Why is there such a gap between the panel Zoom-type calls and the podcast? Is it all the back-end coordination of scheduling the interviews? I hope the barrier isn't technical or logistical -
I really don't notice a material difference in the quality of the content between the podcast and the panel Zoom calls.
Thanks Paul!!
Joining with your many friends, admirers, relatives, subscribers, creditors, trolls and (even some) haters in congratulating you on your stellar success over these 4 years. Regardless of who you were writing for, you've always been a "must read" and like a fine scotch, you're only getting better with age. And I'm going to continue to support your work whether you like it or not!
Go Dave!
I do miss your politics panel. Please think about bringing it back!
Happy anniversary, Paul
Mr. Wells' success on the launch of his Substack column is what Canada needs far more of to get our economic growth back in the game.
He took a risk and left behind the security of a salaried job to create his own business platform. The rewards of success are both financial and personal and they are his. Judging by the flurry of Canadian journalists who are aping his Substack model, it would seem that his peers in the industry like what they see too.
My reaction is "Four years?!? That went quick!" (Full disclosure: I'm old).
I'm so glad they you've been able to make a living from this, and am proud to have played a small role in encouraging you to take the risk.
I have always valued your voice and viewpoints. Along with the likes of Jonathan Kay at Quillette, your voice offers a uniquely Canadian flavour. I don’t always agree with you but that is the whole point.
You've filled my YouTube feed with Angine de Poitrine reaction videos and for that alone I'll stay subscribed for life.
For some reason the "next level subscriber" link just took me to an overview page with no option to upgrade my subscription - at least not one I can find. Is there another link I can use/share? In the meantime, happy to report that my partner upgraded to paid this week.
See if this works. Thanks to you both! https://www.paulwells.substack.com/account?utm_source=user-menu
Somewhere in the page there should be a mention of “plan” that you can click on and make changes. I'm a bit hobbled by me inability to see this page on my own Substack but this is how I change my plan on other Stacks I subscribe to.
The link doesn't work for me on mobile ("unsupported protocol") but I will try to open them both on desktop.
Good news: the first link, the one in the post itself, worked for me on desktop. Thanks!
Self assessment of worth and of contribution makes future involvement meaningful. Onto 5 years with crafted references and validity we need.