Welcome to The Love Drive; I'm glad you're here

My plan for this publication, how social affects my life, and why I won't use AI

Welcome to The Love Drive, now with more words

I sent this email to my subscribers, but sharing it with you is important, too. It’s about email lists, the shitty parts of social media, my plans for this publication, and what you can expect from me.

---

I have an email list but don’t use it like most people. I mostly use it to promote a course or retreat.

I always found email marketing scammy. You sign up for a freebie, and someone sends you emails designed to get you to buy something. You're no longer real; you become a data point in their funnel. 

I can't stand it, and I won't do it, even if it's a way to be more profitable.

But I love writing, blogging, and sharing what I'm currently thinking about, struggling with, or excited about. My overactive brain is complex to live with, but it lends itself well to writing. 

If you like my work, you'll like what I'm proposing. Read on. 

Social media makes me happysad

I have a love-hate relationship with social media. I love that it helps me stay connected to people, introduces me to new ideas, and allows me to share my message with thousands of people. I hate that it shortens my attention span, that everything is a 60-second video or reel, and that it's so damn addictive. 

I miss the old days when people shared writing and beautiful images on Instagram. And I'm 100% guilty of phoning it in by jumping on the Reels bandwagon. 

I can't see how to do my work without it, but I want to find a way to share my message in a format that allows me to slow down. Instagram is crack, and I'd like to offer you a warm mug of tea on a gloomy day. Don't worry, I'll still fuck around with IG, maybe just not as much. 

I'm committed to being more intentional about the content I create and spend less time shooting from the hip. I want to present you with multiple perspectives on an issue, add color and context to what most people see as black and white, and encourage everyone to slow down, even if only for five minutes, while you read a post. 

I want to share more vulnerable things about my life. I can't do that on Instagram without getting trolled or receiving comments that don't feed my soul. That's the risk of a large audience—opening yourself up to the masses can be risky. And when it comes to my heart, I need a smaller inner circle. 

So, here we are.

I've invited everyone from my email list to join me on Substack, a platform for writers.

It's a place where we can connect on a deeper level and where I can share my thoughts and ideas more meaningfully. If you're up for it, stick around and see what it's all about. If not, you're welcome to unsubscribe at any time. 

If you stick around, I think you'll like it here

I'm using the month of May to soft-launch my publication, The Love Drive. 

I'm also going to start publishing a micro-podcast called Voicemails to Dad, where, you guessed it, I leave voicemails to my deceased father and talk to him about all the stuff I wish I'd shared with him or the things I need help with today. He was my mentor, and I can't imagine not having him in my life anymore, so I'm doing something to keep the connection alive.

My Substack will be mostly paywalled. That means every month, I'll release one or two free posts. The others, and my voicemails to Dad, will be behind a paywall. You'll get to read or listen to the first part of it for free, and you'll need to subscribe for the rest.

By joining as a paid subscriber, you support my journey as a writer, but also get access to:

• Voicemails to Dad, an intimate look at my relationship with my dad. Monthly voicemails to my dad.

• A quarterly Zoom hang. Grab a coffee and hop on Zoom. Hang out with me and ask me anything. The next one is scheduled for Saturday, December 7th, at 9 AM Pacific, 12 Noon Eastern.

• My most intimate posts. Read them here.

• And more. I’m just starting here and have big plans to further develop what you’ll get with your paid subscription. Video with some of my writer friends, thought leaders, and experts, a special Q&A column where you can send in your questions, a la Dear Abby, and more. Stay tuned.

Paid subscriptions start at $7/mo and $60/year. Click here to read more about what you get with your paid subscription.

This month, you can expect more posts from me and the first episode of Voicemails To Dad. In June, you can expect one post or podcast episode per week. 

Oh, and I won't use AI for writing, image creation, or idea generation. I want to develop my ability to write well and not take shortcuts. AI will change how we work, but it has no place in soulful, heartfelt, and authentic writing.

In the meantime, thank you for being here, and take good care of yourself. 

Warmly,

Shaun 

PS. I’ve unlocked the comments for this post, so please leave a comment, and I’ll make sure to say hello.