NEW: a monthly dispatch from Unobstructed
Welcoming a new columnist, pod updates.
Newsletters were intended to be roundups; short-form updates about the goings-on.
In the modern era, that used to look like quick accompaniments to longer-form newspapers. And, in the advent of all things digital, that originally meant emails that linked out to longer, web-based content.
Recently, I realized I’d been accidentally muddying things. Plenty of other folks are doing that, too... calling things newsletters that aren’t. And while that doesn’t make it better, it does help me understand why it happened.
What’s happening?
April 2026 edition:
An update on this newsletter.
The latest from Unobstructed.
Welcoming a new monthly columnist.
Announcing The Unobstructed Podcast 2.0
Sharing the process instead of just the product.
1. First and foremost, an update on this “newsletter.”
Over the past two years, the weekly newsletter I publish went from sharing stuff I found interesting in the mental health and wellbeing space to something... well, completely different.
Whoops.
At first, it began shape-shifting slowly. Then, things kind of compounded pretty rapidly. Originally, I’d write a couple of blogs per month and post them on my website. It was a project I thought would help me reclaim my writing voice. I’d then send out a monthly email with a short recap and some links for those who were interested in reading more.
You know... like a newsletter.
After a while, I began writing quite a bit more than two blogs per month, though. Truthfully, I think it happened when I made the jump from Mailchimp to Substack. While I was just looking for an easier way to automate and manage things, I think the cultural influence of the platform played a role in morphing my once newsletter into long-form essays, delivered via email.
Look, I like writing. A lot. I’m glad those dominos fell how they did. And, at the same time, inbox oversaturation is no fun—I’m a subscriber who reads stuff from plenty of writers I like, too.
So, when it comes to Unobstructed, I want to take a second and clarify a couple things.
1. Unobstructed is a multimedia publication made up of several different columns. You can think of it (structurally at least) like The Atlantic, Granta, The New York Times etc...
2. I’ve re-organized Unobstructed such that you can simply opt-in to the stuff you want to receive, at the pace you want to receive it. For example, you might want to receive all the long-form content we publish via email directly... or, maybe you only want an occasional recap.
With that in mind, I’ve decided to reintroduce a real newsletter, in the truest sense of the word: this one... The Unobstructed Monthly Dispatch.
It’s a monthly newsletter, from me, Derek, that recaps the latest goings-on and links out to the recently published longer-form, web-based stuff from Unobstructed.
Columns within this publication include:
Kickturn — a daily column.
Unobstructed — a weekly column.
The Unobstructed Podcast — monthly conversations.
NEW: Breaking Trail — a monthly column on trying new things.
NEW: The Monthly Dispatch — this thing you’re reading right now.
And, since you’re reading this, you are already subscribed to The Monthly Dispatch. But if that’s *not* something you’re interested in, you can update your subscription preferences here.
2. The latest from Unobstructed.
From Kickturn, the daily column:
Following autopilot.
I hadn’t planned on sitting down at my typewriter. When I walked into my office, I set down my coffee like I was about to sit at my computer, but then just... didn’t?
Keep reading.
///
From Unobstructed, the flagship weekly column:
On rigging the odds in your favor.
For the past few years, I’ve dreamt of finally getting back in shape. Winning the never ending game of tug-of-war by visualizing the type of person who can do it and just… willing myself to do what they’d do.
The want was there, I just couldn’t find my way to the actions that would actually make those things, ya know, real. Until now.
Keep reading.
///
From The Unobstructed Podcast:
Resurrecting your low-tech childhood hobbies with Caleb Walker.
It feels like there’s this widespread expectation to be available all the time, and not just at work. I’ve noticed that when people text me, it feels like they’re awaiting an immediate response. Consciously or not, that’s how my brain seems to react to new texts, emails, and messages now. You know what I mean?
Keep reading.
3. Welcoming a new monthly columnist.
I’m excited to officially welcome Caleb Walker to the Unobstructed team!
Caleb’s taking on a new monthly column, called Breaking Trail, where he’ll be sharing essays on venturing into the unknown and using agency to test what’s possible. His first edition of Breaking Trail comes out this Sunday April 5th.
4. An announcement about The Unobstructed Podcast.
At the beginning of 2025, Rachael Sink and I started a podcast... and it became a top 10% most shared show on Spotify in its first year!!!
While you’ll still hear from Rachael on some episodes going forward, she’s decided to step back a bit so she can give herself more fully to other parts of her life. So, in addition to writing his new monthly column for the publication, we’re excited to share that Caleb Walker’s also stepping in as the new co-host of The Unobstructed Podcast!
You’ve likely had the chance to get to know him through his multiple guest appearances, but be sure to tune in to the next episode so we can properly welcome him aboard.
I also want to thank everyone who’s listened and supported our journey so far. We’re so excited to see what year two has in store for us—especially with Caleb joining the crew!
5. Sharing the process AND the product.
I’ve been trying to be better about sharing both the process and the product, rather than just the product. So, going forward, my hope is that this monthly dispatch will help me do that.
I’m really glad you’re here and I’m psyched for what’s ahead!
Happy April.
onward.
