It's vacation time!

PLUS: An update on where we are.

I am writing to you from the train — headed off to a beach vacation for the week.

Which means much less posting — although probably not NO posting since I have a few pieces I want to get out including my reflections on going to Cooperstown, New York and a few thoughts I have about the online content world.

But, posting will be MUCH lighter.

This pause gives me a chance to say “thank you” to everyone who has subscribed to this newsletter. I have been writing it since January 2023 and we have NEVER had as much momentum as we do now.

Just check out this subscriber growth chart:

Pretty, pretty good.

I have done no advertising for this Substack. It’s spread via word of mouth. Which is pretty amazing.

But, I still think there are tons of people out there who would dig what I am doing. Which is where you all come in!

I need you to be evangelists for “So What.” Forward these emails to people who you think might like what we are building here. Tell friends about it. Spread the word on social media.

And, most importantly, if you aren’t a paid subscriber yet, please consider becoming one today.

In addition to “The Morning,” my daily video brief on what will drive the news that day, you also get “Chris Crucial,” my nightly newsletter on all you need to know from the day that was in politics.

I also usually write at least one more post a day — including my deep dives into the transcripts of speeches and interviews of Donald Trump and other prominent politicians.

And, if that’s not enough, paid subscribers ALSO get:

1. A 30-minute, one-on-one Zoom call with me. One on one. Me and you. No topics off limits!

2. Exclusive access to my weekly podcast “Name Your Mount Rushmore.” Every week we will pick a subject — candy, political slogans, ‘80s hair-metal bands — and debate who makes our personal Mount Rushmore in that category. Coming in September!

3. An exclusive Sunday email with a list of recommendations from yours truly — a podcast, an article, a YouTube video, a Substack, a song, a book, a TV show — that I think you will dig.

To get all of the above benefits, all of my written content and support an independent journalist, upgrade to a paid subscription. It’s just $6 a month or $60 for the year!

If you ARE a paid subscriber already, I am hugely thankful. If you want to give a gift subscription to a friend, you can do that here.

The next 99 days — yes, we are only 99 days away from the election — are going to be filled with twists and turns. (I mean, look at the last month!) The political world is only going to get crazier.

So, let me be your pilot. I will guide you through what matters and why. What you need to pay attention to — and what you can safely ignore. I will be a friend who watches what you can’t watch and tells you what you need to know.

I hope you join me on this journey. And buckle up — because it’s going to get wild.

— Chris