The Coffee House

Some thoughts on sharing and coffee.

Do you ever sit there, pen in hand, keyboard ready, trying to forcibly force an idea out of your head like an introvert refusing to leave the house on Friday night? That's me right now. My idea's already in its comfy clothes, Netflix on, ignoring my texts. Come on. It's Thursday night. Let's hang out for a bit. You've been cooped up all week.

The idea I'm trying to get out of the house tonight is how important sharing each other's publications and creative works is for the growth of Substack and our own communities. But my idea is stuck in the house. My daily post needs to be written, and I have a card game to win on this last proper day of vacation. So here's a general start to the idea. With a more detailed essay to come, who knows if it ever leaves the house? I just write words down.

This idea was sparked thanks to two creators I genuinely appreciate— Jamal Robinson and Tobi Odeyale —who shared my work in their creative ways today. It made my day. It might seem small, but their shares brought my words to new readers. I'm still experimenting with this whole content creation stuff, but these shares are a lifeline for established brands like my wife's Jalesa Dodson small business. They're constantly working to get noticed. And then there's the discovery angle—I found Temi Coker brilliant designs, thanks to Jamal sharing his work.

Photo by Sean Benesh on Unsplash

Think back to the intellectual salons of the Enlightenment or the coffeehouses of 17th-century Europe. Thinkers, artists, and merchants gathered to exchange ideas and spark movements. These weren't spaces for isolation or self-promotion—they were hubs of collaboration, pushing boundaries and lifting each other up.

Substack feels like our modern-day coffeehouse. Picture it: you're sipping your black coffee, turning to the person next to you, and saying, "Hey, have you read that fantastic poem John H wrote about his wife? It was bloody lovely, mate." Every share amplifies a voice, enriches our community, and builds real connections.

So, do that all the time. Share what moves you. Talk about what gets you thinking. You, the audience, are the key to building a space where whole ideas thrive, small businesses get the eyes they deserve, and creators find their audience—not through algorithms but through genuine sharing.

“Substack can be a social platform without the media” - Johnathan Horsley Sr

Until tomorrow,

John D