The Great Debate: To Substack or Not to Substack?
How a Year-Long Conversation, a Simple Question, and a Little Crowdsourcing Sparked a New Adventure in Authenticity.
The Great Debate
Them: You have to have a Substack! I’ll follow it.
Me: I don’t have one; I’m writing my book.
Them: But we’d love to know what you think—you should make a Substack.
Me: (Not making a Substack because I am already writing a book.)
Them: But I’d follow it—seriously, make a Substack!
This back-and-forth has been going on for almost a year. During that time, I tried to start a Substack, but I never published a post. My subscriber count? A solid one—thank you, loyal friend and colleague.
In fairness to my poor attempt at launching a Substack, there were too many choices, too many options, and—you know—I was busy with another “project.” Meanwhile, people I respect started their Substacks, others raved about how great it was, and I kept writing.
But one simple question finally broke the cycle of procrastination and overthinking.
The challenge with writing is that you are always writing. A Substack (and keeping up with it) seemed like one hill too many or too steep. And really, how many words are left after chapters and chapters (and chapters and chapters) of writing? The only answer that seemed obvious to me was: None. Zero. Zilch.
If you’re curious about my infamous book, it’s available for preorder.
The Question and a New Mindset
Jade, a LinkedIn connection, commented on one of my posts: “Do you have a Substack?”
By then my book was almost finished, and I could finally breathe. So, I could’ve just sent her the link to my sad, near-empty Substack (subscriber count: one, still proud), but that’s not me.
Instead, I embraced the idea I had avoided for so long: I’d create a Substack, but this time, I’d do it differently.
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Crowdsourcing My Substack
I asked Jade to send me a DM, hoping she’d help me name it—or even shape it. When she replied later that night, I pitched her this:
Hahaha! 😂 I have been getting started on Substack but I've procrastinated over a name and first topic. Since you asked about it outright, I was going to let you choose the name or topic. I love crowdsourcing things—ha! So, if you have ideas, I’m interested in hearing them!
A few DMs later, she came up with The Lens of Authenticity and suggested storytelling as the theme. Just like that, this Substack was born.
The Power of Community
Whether it’s naming this Substack or sparking conversations on LinkedIn, I’ve always believed that great ideas come from diverse voices. In ethics—my wheelhouse—it’s essential to listen to perspectives that challenge our own.
So, here’s the truth: this space isn’t just mine—it’s ours.
Rather than boxing us into a rigid format, I want this Substack to be a space where ideas flow, stories connect us, and we embrace humor and authenticity.
In the future, I hope we’ll be like old friends, swapping stories, laughing, and celebrating life’s little wins and tackling the challenges that come with them.
One thing to do:
Step outside the usual and into the unexpected. And if someone reaches out with a question, take a moment to consider what replying “yes” could lead to - then choose wisely.
Weeklyish Adventures in Authenticity
Here’s what you can expect:
One Thought: Something practical, philosophical, or thought-provoking.
One Thing to Do: A simple action to step outside the usual and into the unexpected.
Good News: Because who doesn’t need more of that?
I’ll post once a week (give or take) about whatever strikes me—ethics, storytelling, AI, or something that sparks joy. My goal? To keep it practical, with a bit of humor, and, above all, authentic.
Recognizing You
I want to celebrate your good news—birthdays, milestones, or anything worth sharing. After all, who doesn’t need a little joy? Speaking of which, here’s a story to brighten your day: A dad’s hilariously bad paintings went viral.
Follow me wherever it feels right:
LinkedIn for my professional work
BlueSky for personal musings
Patreon to support my creative side
The AI Ethics Sandbox is launching soon on MightyNetworks! Sign up for the waitlist to be the first to know!
Looking Ahead: Find Me in 2025
I’m excited to be stepping into 2025 with incredible opportunities to connect with others and share insights on AI, ethics, and leadership at major conferences. If you happen to be in any of these places, I’d love to see you there!
Paris, March 2025: Celebrate International Women's Day with IDIAS Conferences. Join me as I collaborate with a global community dedicated to advancing women’s voices in tech.
Amsterdam, May 2025: I'm thrilled to chair the 2nd International Conference on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, which will guide this global conversation on the future of AI ethics and human-centered approaches.
Biarritz, September 2025: I'll be presenting at a new conference (stay tuned for details!).. I’ll share my work and insights again on the global stage.
Traveling, connecting, and learning—2025 promises to be an exciting year. Keep an eye out for updates, and let’s connect if you’re in any of these cities!
Let’s Build This Together
I’m always looking for ways to make this newsletter more valuable, spark meaningful conversations, and collaborate on impactful ideas. That’s where you come in! Whether you’ve got a newsletter topic idea, need a mentor or speaker, or want to brainstorm something amazing, I’d love to hear from you.
Partner with me, stay connected or build alongside me - all are welcome!
Join the Conversation
Thanks for reading The Lens of Authenticity—where your ideas help shape the stories we share. Subscribe for free to join the conversation and support this space.
Hi Laura, welcome to Substack :) I’ll DM you!