1 Year Anniversary Edition: The Return of Hard Briefs, YouTube, Reading Lists and Kind Supply
The pursuit of a mission
It’s been one long, wild year. But in a sense, also a highly reflective one.
When I started Hard Problems in January 2025, the eventual goal was simple: to stop endlessly describing the problem and start the conversation on the solutions. I wanted to move past the “doomerism” that paralyzes the modern Left and instead look at the mechanics of how systems fail—and how they can be rebuilt.
Twelve months later, we are 5,600 strong. We have dissected policy failures, analyzed the math of inequality, and looked at the dynamics of modern political strategy and how we got here. But we are just getting started.
If Year 1 was about clearly defining the problems, Year 2 is about building the infrastructure to solve them.
Today, I am announcing the expansion of the Hard Problems ecosystem. This isn’t just a newsletter anymore but much more; it’s an intelligence briefing, a media channel, and a supply chain.
Here is what changes, starting now.
The Return of “Hard Briefs”
In the fog of modern day disinformation, clarity is the most valuable asset.
You told me that while you love the deep dives, you often miss the signal amidst the daily noise. That is why I am bringing back Hard Briefs.
Starting next week, paid subscribers will receive the Hard Brief as a condensed, high-density weekly video update. These are not “hot takes.” They are:
Data-First: Charts that explain the narrative, not the other way around.
Strategic: Full of analysis and frameworks
Actionable: Specific leverage points where pressure actually works.
You could think of it as the “Executive Summary” for our collective future.
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel
Text is powerful, but some Hard Problems need to be seen to be believed.
Though it was started a few months back, I’m officially launching the Hard Problems YouTube Channel today. This will be the home of our interviews and “visual journalism”— hard-hitting, cinematic video essays and shorts that expose the hidden mechanics of our economies and governments.
“The Syllabus”: Weekly Reading List
The algorithm is designed to make you angry. The Syllabus is designed to make you smart.
I am creating our a reading list, curated not by engagement bait, but by real usefulness. Every Thursday, I will share:
The Source Code: The raw data sheets and academic papers behind the week’s biggest stories.
The Signal: The one article you actually need to read (and the three you can skip).
The Tool: A specific piece of software or methodology to help you navigate the digital age.
This is available to all subscribers, with the “Deep Data” dossier for those in the paid tier, who want a bit more granular detail and insight.
Introducing KIND ❤︎ SUPPLY
This is the biggest shift of all.
I’ve written about the idea that the low price of goods often hides a high cost in human suffering and environmental damage. It felt somewhat hypocritical to critique that system without offering an alternative.
So, we built one.
Introducing Kind Supply.
This is not just “merch.” This is a parallel supply chain and a mission-based brand dedicated to Radical Transparency, Sustainability, Education and Optimism.
The Launch Collection:
Sustainable, Apparel: 100% Certified Organic Cotton t-shirts and eco-tote bags. Fully transparent costs and sourcing origin of each item are provided up-front.
This store exists to help fund Hard Problems and prove that a better way of making things is possible. Paid subscribers will receive a permanent 20% discount on all Kind Supply goods.
2026 is here. Let’s get to work.
Love the Kind Supply concept as a proof-of-concept for transparent sourcing. The challenge with parallel supply chains has always been scaling past initial enthusiasts tho, once the model works at a boutique level it often fractures when trying to meet mainstream demand. Publishing actual cost breakdowns upfront is bold, most brands hide behind "proprietary" excuses to avoid that level of vulnarability.