A.L. Kushner
@alkushner.bsky.social
Writer | Former Humanitarian Surgeon | Reality Strategist
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A.L. Kushner
@alkushner.bsky.social
· Sep 18
Memoir update: 47k words, 82 chapters.
New working title: Lessons from Chaos: Notes of a ‘Simple’ Surgeon.
Grateful for the encouragement so far, it keeps me writing.
Chapter 1: An Idiot. It begins with this Newsweek cover. Opening days of the war in Slovenia, I was next to the photographer. 😬
New working title: Lessons from Chaos: Notes of a ‘Simple’ Surgeon.
Grateful for the encouragement so far, it keeps me writing.
Chapter 1: An Idiot. It begins with this Newsweek cover. Opening days of the war in Slovenia, I was next to the photographer. 😬
Hoping to see northern lights tonight 🙏
November 12, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Hoping to see northern lights tonight 🙏
Status update on my memoir, Lessons from Chaos:
A beta reader said:
“I got the manuscript, started reading… and suddenly I was 8 chapters in. Tight, brisk writing. Dramatic. Medical reality abroad. I’m hooked.”
😎
And, the full manuscript is now with literary agents.
🤞
A beta reader said:
“I got the manuscript, started reading… and suddenly I was 8 chapters in. Tight, brisk writing. Dramatic. Medical reality abroad. I’m hooked.”
😎
And, the full manuscript is now with literary agents.
🤞
November 10, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Status update on my memoir, Lessons from Chaos:
A beta reader said:
“I got the manuscript, started reading… and suddenly I was 8 chapters in. Tight, brisk writing. Dramatic. Medical reality abroad. I’m hooked.”
😎
And, the full manuscript is now with literary agents.
🤞
A beta reader said:
“I got the manuscript, started reading… and suddenly I was 8 chapters in. Tight, brisk writing. Dramatic. Medical reality abroad. I’m hooked.”
😎
And, the full manuscript is now with literary agents.
🤞
Alaska travelers have big questions. Here are a few answers and options while the shutdown continues
November 8, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Alaska travelers have big questions. Here are a few answers and options while the shutdown continues
And another query rejection. Oh well. Gonna keep going! Let’s face it, this too is a #LessonFromChaos
November 7, 2025 at 6:55 PM
And another query rejection. Oh well. Gonna keep going! Let’s face it, this too is a #LessonFromChaos
Everyone has an agenda. Most miss the lesson. I did at first.
Dubai next week: finding the folks who want to learn from chaos.
#LessonsFromChaos #DubaiFutureForum
Dubai next week: finding the folks who want to learn from chaos.
#LessonsFromChaos #DubaiFutureForum
November 7, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Everyone has an agenda. Most miss the lesson. I did at first.
Dubai next week: finding the folks who want to learn from chaos.
#LessonsFromChaos #DubaiFutureForum
Dubai next week: finding the folks who want to learn from chaos.
#LessonsFromChaos #DubaiFutureForum
With shutdown set to reduce flights at Anchorage International, Alaska Airlines and others promise refunds for canceled flights
November 7, 2025 at 3:35 AM
With shutdown set to reduce flights at Anchorage International, Alaska Airlines and others promise refunds for canceled flights
Ten books about #futurism substack.com/@lessonsfrom...
Lessons From Chaos (@lessonsfromchaos)
I’ve seen plans fail in war zones and disaster areas but am new to #futurism. These 10 books helped me see what’s coming.
1- The Signals Are Talking, Amy Webb: Weak signals
2- The Inevitable, Kevi...
substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Ten books about #futurism substack.com/@lessonsfrom...
Got feedback on memoir from two more respected colleagues. Both liked it, both suggested an epilogue. Most common feedback is that it “sounds like me.” 😎
November 4, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Got feedback on memoir from two more respected colleagues. Both liked it, both suggested an epilogue. Most common feedback is that it “sounds like me.” 😎
NOAA cancels funding for data collection crucial to tsunami warning systems
November 4, 2025 at 3:43 AM
NOAA cancels funding for data collection crucial to tsunami warning systems
Regional air carrier Kenai Aviation announces immediate shutdown
November 4, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Regional air carrier Kenai Aviation announces immediate shutdown
Daylight Saving Time 🤮
Crockpot of chili 😋
Crockpot of chili 😋
November 2, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Daylight Saving Time 🤮
Crockpot of chili 😋
Crockpot of chili 😋
I’ve been berated for saying it, but the truth is: I did humanitarian work to have fun.
If you’re not enjoying it out there, you won’t help anyone.
Ever found fun in chaos? Read about mine.
Link 👇
If you’re not enjoying it out there, you won’t help anyone.
Ever found fun in chaos? Read about mine.
Link 👇
November 1, 2025 at 6:38 PM
I’ve been berated for saying it, but the truth is: I did humanitarian work to have fun.
If you’re not enjoying it out there, you won’t help anyone.
Ever found fun in chaos? Read about mine.
Link 👇
If you’re not enjoying it out there, you won’t help anyone.
Ever found fun in chaos? Read about mine.
Link 👇
Updated travel advisory for Tanzania! tz.usembassy.gov/travel-advis...
Travel Advisory: Tanzania - Updated October 31, 2025
tz.usembassy.gov
November 1, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Updated travel advisory for Tanzania! tz.usembassy.gov/travel-advis...
41 degrees F (5 C) in Anchorage. That’s crazy warm for Halloween 😱🤪
November 1, 2025 at 12:42 AM
41 degrees F (5 C) in Anchorage. That’s crazy warm for Halloween 😱🤪
After reading a draft of my memoir, a friend decided my code name should be “gadfly,” someone who pokes at comfortable assumptions in #globalhealth and development.
He was being kind, but I’ll take it.
#LessonsFromChaos
He was being kind, but I’ll take it.
#LessonsFromChaos
October 30, 2025 at 4:20 PM
After reading a draft of my memoir, a friend decided my code name should be “gadfly,” someone who pokes at comfortable assumptions in #globalhealth and development.
He was being kind, but I’ll take it.
#LessonsFromChaos
He was being kind, but I’ll take it.
#LessonsFromChaos
Woohoo! First full request from a literary agent!! 🤞
October 29, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Woohoo! First full request from a literary agent!! 🤞
Reposted by A.L. Kushner
After the tsunami in Indonesia, I told the team to grab lunch and then run the response without me.
They crushed it.
“You may be expat, but I’m expert.”
#LessonsFromChaos
link 👇
They crushed it.
“You may be expat, but I’m expert.”
#LessonsFromChaos
link 👇
October 29, 2025 at 12:05 PM
After the tsunami in Indonesia, I told the team to grab lunch and then run the response without me.
They crushed it.
“You may be expat, but I’m expert.”
#LessonsFromChaos
link 👇
They crushed it.
“You may be expat, but I’m expert.”
#LessonsFromChaos
link 👇
Tanzania www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Tanzania declares curfew in commercial capital after election protests
Tanzanian police declared a curfew in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam on Wednesday after violent protests marred an election that President Samia Suluhu Hassan was expected to win following the disqualification of the leading opposition candidates.
www.reuters.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Tanzania www.reuters.com/world/africa...
After the tsunami in Indonesia, I told the team to grab lunch and then run the response without me.
They crushed it.
“You may be expat, but I’m expert.”
#LessonsFromChaos
link 👇
They crushed it.
“You may be expat, but I’m expert.”
#LessonsFromChaos
link 👇
October 29, 2025 at 12:05 PM
After the tsunami in Indonesia, I told the team to grab lunch and then run the response without me.
They crushed it.
“You may be expat, but I’m expert.”
#LessonsFromChaos
link 👇
They crushed it.
“You may be expat, but I’m expert.”
#LessonsFromChaos
link 👇
Lesson from Chaos #1: Rule number one, have fun
Thirteen hours on an overcrowded bus in Guinea. No AC. Dust, chaos, laughter.
Fun.
If you’re not having fun in the field, you’re probably not much help either.
#LessonsFromChaos
link 👇
Thirteen hours on an overcrowded bus in Guinea. No AC. Dust, chaos, laughter.
Fun.
If you’re not having fun in the field, you’re probably not much help either.
#LessonsFromChaos
link 👇
October 29, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Lesson from Chaos #1: Rule number one, have fun
Thirteen hours on an overcrowded bus in Guinea. No AC. Dust, chaos, laughter.
Fun.
If you’re not having fun in the field, you’re probably not much help either.
#LessonsFromChaos
link 👇
Thirteen hours on an overcrowded bus in Guinea. No AC. Dust, chaos, laughter.
Fun.
If you’re not having fun in the field, you’re probably not much help either.
#LessonsFromChaos
link 👇
😱
amazon let 12,000 go today
so that’s 60,000 in a day
going backwards
so that’s 60,000 in a day
going backwards
October 28, 2025 at 4:28 PM
😱
Drum lessons for 10. Suggested Joan Jett, “I love rock and roll.” 😎
October 28, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Drum lessons for 10. Suggested Joan Jett, “I love rock and roll.” 😎