Why Substack?

I almost applied for a job. The pay was good, and I had the needed skillset. But as I began working on the application, I felt restless.

Why do I feel this way? I wondered. Is it because there are many applicants and I’m worried I won’t get noticed?

As I explored their content more, I realized my hesitation came from something else entirely: our values didn’t align. The brand measured success by views alone. Its content felt like a distraction from what matters in life—an aim I don’t agree with in media. It was no wonder my motivation faded quickly, I am a woman whose actions are driven by her beliefs.

A few days later, I came across your Video Storyteller position at Substack. Reading your company’s “why” felt like a breath of fresh air. It was as if your founders had walked through my story, witnessed the moments that shaped my beliefs, and then built a company willing to take a stand on what matters to me.

It is important that you hire a person who supports your values because creations show the world who their creators are. When you look at the films of any successful director, you’ll find recurring themes that trace back to their lived experiences and values. As my favorite director, Greta Gerwig puts it: “I tend to start with things from my own life, then pretty quickly they spin out into their own orbit.” When Gerwig creates something original, a tale told through characters, the genesis begins with herself.

Why Substack? Because Iike Gerwig, I can’t create original content for a brand unless it comes from a place of shared values. If I earn the honor of telling your story—and the stories of your independent publishers—I also will be subtly sharing myself. My values will shine through my work even if I don’t directly state them. Thankfully, we are aligned in this place.

If you’d like more context, I’ve connected the dots of my past to your present-day principles and mission below.