last week in the wild: #02
taste, AI journaling, and the mother f*cking New York Times
June 22nd — June 28th
Happy Sunday, another week in the jungle!
I am over the moon because I woke up this morning to 4.1k subscribers! It was only 2 short weeks ago that I wrote this “welcome” love letter to my first 1,000 subs—I am seriously beside myself, I cannot believe so many humans allow me to access their sacred inbox on the reg. So, thank you, thank you.
If you’re wondering wtf happened and how I ended up going from 1k-4k subs in 2 weeks, well: this essay on taste BLEW UP. It was everywhere, you guys. I definitely didn’t expect to have a “viral” essay floating around when I started sharing my writing here—and I still can’t believe so many people read (and resonated with!) what I wrote. Again, thank you. I am overflowing with gratitude.
Even more super exciting news about WILD BARE THOUGHTS (and likely how many people found their way over here this past week): my essay about flirting with the world was mentioned in The New York Times last Monday (*actually screaming*)
My essay on taste was also mentioned in Scott Galloway’s podcast newsletter. Like I said, this thing really made its way around the interwebs—pretty dang cool!
all free essays published last week —
June 22: last week in the wild #01
June 24: the 5-minute daily ritual that changed how i think
June 25: be a Leonardo: the art of unfinished things
June 26: the stranger in my mirror
June 28: you can’t sustain what doesn’t honor who you truly are
what paid readers read last week —
June 23: even the machine needs a muse
June 24: THE DAILY 5 — WEEK 1
A QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT —
Last week I launched THE DAILY 5—my new self-inquiry journaling series for paid subs. It’s a five-minute ritual for getting to know the real you (with a little help from AI, if you choose). Week One is live now with seven linked posts and optional worksheets, if you’re into that kind of thing.
The 5-minute daily ritual that changed how I think
THE DAILY 5 is a weekly journaling practice for people who want to understand themselves better—but don’t have hours to reflect every day. It’s structured, intentional, and grounded in real self-awar…
Starting this week, a new edition of THE DAILY 5 will drop every Monday—one post, seven days, all in one place.
Week 1 was an experiment in daily entries, but let’s be real, that got cluttered fast. Keeping everything in a single weekly post makes it easier to follow, bookmark, and return to. Plus, it’s nice to have all the discussion in one place.
If you’ve been using THE DAILY 5, I’d love to hear how it’s landing—what’s working, what’s not, and what types of prompts or reflections you’d like to see next. I’ll keep iterating based on what I learn, but the goal is to make this a genuinely useful, flexible ritual we can all grow with.
Week 2 drops tomorrow.
A high‑stakes truce was declared between Israel and Iran—but both sides fired missiles within hours, prompting airstrikes and a very public ‘you broke it first’ finger‑pointing match. So technically, we have a ceasefire… but it’s the kind where everyone keeps their boots on.
So, what exactly happened?
On June 24th, the U.S. and Qatar brokered a truce that went live early that morning. It marked the end of a 12-day intense exchange, including U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran reportedly launched missiles northwards—intercepted by Israel—just hours after the ceasefire began. Israel responded with airstrikes targeting Iranian radar and other military sites, claiming those were violations of the truce.
President Trump, who announced the ceasefire, immediately criticized both Israel and Iran for “violating” the deal. He said, and I quote: “They don’t know what the fuck they’re doing.” (At least we got a funny meme out of it?)
Apparently Pixar will be releasing a Ratatouille sequel? Couldn’t help but laugh at this edit of Sabrina Carpenter’s latest album cover art. (Now it’s actually art) h/t: @scrumble_eggs on 𝕏
I absolutely ADORED this note about Kurt Vonnegut on art, shared by Danny Li
this lovely illustration and gentle reminder to share our work by
this made me lol 🚬
and a potent little note by C. S. Lewis via
If you’re in the part of the world where summer just began, I hope your days are stretching a little longer, your thoughts a little slower, and your sense of self a little deeper. Thanks so much for being here.
XO, STEPF
ICYMI, LAST-LAST WEEK IN THE WILD 🐆
Congratulations on all the growth and the Times feature. Your essays have quickly become one of the main things I look forward to reading on this platform
Great stuff, keep up the good work.