State of the Dispatch

‘Tis the season for year-in-review and best-of lists, and I cannot resist adding my own to the mix. Above the paywall: some reflections on the state of The Dispatch. Below the paywall: some reflections on the state of The Daminger.

Your favorite (new) posts of 2025

#5:

It seems counterintuitive, but divorced women often do less physical labor than married women. Alas, getting out of a bad marriage might not get you out of the mental load.

#4:

David Hilgendorf, stay-at-home father turned fatherhood researcher, offered some frank reflections on male privilege and what it will take to achieve change.

#3:

Couples’ therapist Tonya Lester (whose excellent book Push Back is now available!) explained how she works with couples whose core challenge is labor or power inequality (hint: she often helps women surface their anger).

#2:

A reflection on the two bad choices many women face: find a way to accept a suboptimal relationship, or end that relationship.

#1:

A review of a new paper challenging the idea that so-called “invisible labor” is actually hidden and a broader reflection on what it means that “mental load” is now a household term.

Some numbers for the quantitatively inclined

37 new posts in 2025 (+ 4 updated reruns and 1 Live)

+ 70% subscriber growth (not so impressive in absolute numbers (+850), but considering I do very few of the things you’re supposed to do to “grow” on Substack, I’m pleased)

+ 60% annual revenue (again, sounds impressive until you look at the absolute amount (+$1000) and remember that even with this increase I’m writing for well under minimum wage…eep. In case you’re curious, 2.5% of subscribers are paid, which is a bit below the average ranges of 3-5% that I’ve seen cited)

This is a small-potatoes newsletter by most measures, but the potatoes grew quite a bit in 2025! Whether you’ve been here for four days or four years, I’m grateful for your support.

What’s coming in 2026

Honestly, I’m not quite sure! (Sorry, that header was a bit of a tease…) I’ve been toying with a few possibilities, but life has been moving a mile a minute (see below), and I haven’t settled on anything in particular. This is me committing to doing some reflection over the holiday break and reporting back in my first 2026 post.

State of The Daminger

I’ve found myself fantasizing about retirement lately. Am I too young to become a Professor Emerita? (Answer: At my university, there’s no age specification, but you do have to serve at least ten years before you’re eligible. I’ve got a ways to go.)

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