36 Comments
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The Scholar's avatar

My one-year Substack journey post is coming soon (in a month's time), and these questions are all too good not to include, of course with my own answers. I appreciate this interview and the eloquent answers. Thanks for sharing, Julie :)

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Kate Bown's avatar

Wonderful, Julie you are amazing!

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

Awwww! What a lovely thing to say. 🥰 Thank you, Kate.

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Istiaq Mian's avatar

Loved this line "Substack is like a bonfire on a cold night"

It is cool how it brings people together who otherwise wouldn't be

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

Glad you enjoyed it.

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Lor's avatar

How could I not love this interview. After all, I see a bit of myself written here;

“…beautifully off-kilter minds…”

“…creative wonderfully supportive weirdos.”

“…oddballs, the dreamers…”

Seriously, great answers, very nice to meet you Julie.

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

Thank you, Lor. I’m delighted that you enjoyed it. 💚

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Alisa Kennedy Jones's avatar

I love this so much! What a wonderful person to discover!

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

We midlife women just gotta have fun. ☺️

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Kimberly Warner's avatar

Good lord this interview is bursting with life! Julie you are a marvel. So happy to be at the bonfire with you!

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

Likewise, Kimberly! You inspire me. 💚

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Owl Green's avatar

This was so fun to read. Julie, you really got at the heart of what makes this online place so magical (part of which is, of course, you)!

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

☺️ Right back atcha, Rebecca! Glad you enjoyed it.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Another fantastic interview. I dig your vibe, Julie. And I'm so grateful you're unabashedly yourself!

Thank you, Julie and Eleanor.

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

Thanks, Holly! I appreciate how supportive and encouraging people are here, you especially. 💚

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Indeed, I say on every word you've written here. So glad to have found you. ~ Mary

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

Likewise, Mary! 🙏🤗

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Michele Pirkau Dambach's avatar

One of my favorite lines: "Substack is like a bonfire on a cold night—it attracts the oddballs, the dreamers, the ones who see the world with a mix of wonder, humor, and bare honesty." I consider myself one of the dreamers, who sees the world with wonder. I hope that my words resonate with like-minded souls - and continue to grow my Substack one follower at a time, if ever so slowly. Your writing is beautiful and honest - something that I strive to be. I am thankful to have discovered your writing. Keep going!

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

I feel likewise! We need more wonder! Never too much wonder. 💚 Thanks for being here.

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Camilla Sanderson's avatar

Julie I love this post so much, and perhaps one of the biggest aspects of what I love is how you hold your "self" so lightly. It's as though you're quietly chuckling at your own ego while also honoring, "My newsletter might be a drop in the ocean, but I’m determined to make it a damn beautiful drop." Brava! I so deeply appreciate your work Julie!🥰✨🌟💖🙏🕊️

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

Awww, thanks so much Camilla! Your comment reminds me of the Dalai Lama’s advice to take yourself and your ambitions seriously while also laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do will make any difference. (I’m sure he said it much more eloquently.) 💚

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Joshua Doležal's avatar

Glad to consider myself part of your community, Julie. You offer good reminders of how to focus on what's good here and ignore the rest.

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

The feeling is mutual. I’m so lucky to have met writers and thinkers of such quality and integrity — you among them.

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Rona Maynard's avatar

“A virtual writers’ cafe, “a bonfire on a cold night,” and the steadfast consolation of lightening one reader’s loneliness. Yes to all three and to the sense of purpose that illuminates this conversation.

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

Thanks, Rona! 💚

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Diana van Eyk's avatar

Thanks for being vulnerable here, Julie -- and I know what you mean about how great writing on Substack is! It somehow enables a supportive environment where people feel at home. It's something of a haven for writers.

I'm also a fan of ideas that are a little out there, and look forward to reading more of your posts.

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

Thanks, Diana. I always get a boost from poking in here and there on Substack — always a new discovery, a kind word.

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Veronika Bond's avatar

Thank you both for this lovely conversation!

"Before Substack, my writing was a behind-closed-doors affair between me, the muse and my notebooks. Now, it's a public exploration through new territories." ~ so relatable.

To be reminded of this makes me happy that you (and I) made it to Substack ~ a virtual writers' café. ☕ 🕯️🥂 🙏 💕

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

Me too!! And we have the best baristas here!

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Sarah wolfenden's avatar

So wonderful to hear you describe your process your journey and your fantastic nuttiness

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

😅🥹

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