A review of 2023: The first year of Provoked

Hello, Provoked readers!

As we close my third year of launching Provoked, I am astounded by what happened.

Provoked subscribers grew by an impressive 29%!

Paid subscribers increased by a staggering 780%! You have inspired 1 of my 3 daughters to become a writer in some capacity. That is quite a Hanukkah Man gift to me.

Thank you for allowing me to do freelance writing as a side hustle - with ample time to research, think, create, and write.

For everyone subscribing, I will experiment with shorter, punchier posts that address neglected research on well-being. Many of my colleagues conduct amazing work in relative obscurity. My goal is to shine a light on them. They are not interested in whether gratitude is related to life satisfaction, or whether being kind is good for you, because you already know this. Human psychology is far too complex for simplistic slogans. Let’s instead aim for deep insights and useful strategies for living better.

With the increase in paid subscribers, expect more premium subscriber-only posts.

First - my secret list of the biggest reading letdowns of the year (I want to save others from the fate of devoting too many unsatisfying hours).

Second - expect several personal posts of my struggles in life and work, and what I learned.

Third - I will share the perilous and pleasurable journey of writing and publishing my next two books.

Fourth - we will hold more writing/thinking sessions in premium-subscriber-only Zoom calls. I simply adore the people I met this year (you know who you are).

Provoked is free. But if you are a free subscriber, please upgrade for the full experience.

As for a 2023 retrospective, here were the most read Provoked posts:

1. Breaking Up with Friends

2. 10 Provocative Books Read in 2023

3. Hitler, Purpose in Life, and Access to My Most Beloved Scientific Article

4. Reflecting on My First Suicidal Thoughts

5. Decisions with Purpose

6. Mistaken Ideas About Loneliness

7. Dissecting the New Trendy Term: "Lived Experiences"

8. A New Perspective on Conformity

9. The 4-Step Formula That Will Revolutionize Your Decision Making

10. Unveiling Uncomfortable Facts: A Deep Dive into Sex Differences

If you haven’t read these, enjoy and please reach out with what did and didn’t resonate.

What I appreciate is the wide variety of interests expressed by Provoked readers. This includes how many readers enjoyed access to 6-8 articles on workplace curiosity (click here). I try to feed those interests by reading voraciously:

Looking ahead to 2024, I'm excited for another year of emotional and intellectual provocations.

Wishing you sufficient curiosity to explore what’s possible, courage to deviate from the herd, and wisdom to know when and how.

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Do Me a Favor?

I'm on a mission to foster courage in a world that prioritizes conformity and likability. I've created a guide that empowers individuals to:

1. Persuade effectively, even without the leverage of power or status.

2. Build intelligent, wise groups that thrive on diverse perspectives.

3. Navigate the inevitable tension that arises from productive conflict.

Consider sharing this operator's manual with someone who could benefit from these insights. A high school graduate. A family member in college. A newcomer in the workforce. Grab a copy here and share these insights widely:

And let’s have more conversations by connecting on Twitter or Facebook or Linkedin or Instagram or Substack Notes.