Rod Thorn
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rodthorn.bsky.social
Rod Thorn
@rodthorn.bsky.social
I’m a writer: books, plays, screenplays, articles, speeches, video scripts, and essays. I'm also a voice talent: audiobooks, plays, podcasts. I create to make sense of the world, and turn life's wounds into wisdom.
substack.com/@rodthorn
Here's my newest essay. This topic is bigger than any of us can imagine, and it goes far beyond politics. I didn't want to write about it, but it seems I had to. To think that people will read it and respond is very gratifying. Thank you. #epstein #abuse #sextrafficking

substack.com/@rodthorn/no...
The Wise Ash with Rod Thorn (@rodthorn)
This Epstein thing is really getting to me. I want instant karma!
substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Colleen McCullough was an Australian novelist, a professor of neurology at Yale University, and the author of The Thorn Birds, one of the best-selling books in history.

And yet, on this day in 2015, this is how they start her obituary. This is shameful.
#sexism
January 29, 2026 at 6:27 PM
This is one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen. The man is a hero.

substack.com/@gurwinder/n...
Gurwinder (@gurwinder)
Nicholas Winton helped 669 Jewish children escape the Nazis. His efforts went unrecognized for 50 years. Then in 1988, while sitting as a member of a TV audience, he suddenly found himself surrounded ...
substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:45 AM
If the federal government invokes the Insurrection Act, the Minnesota National Guard personnel currently deployed by the state would be removed from the governor’s command and control, and become part of the federalized force under Trump’s authority. This is a scary scenario and it may happen soon.
January 26, 2026 at 12:15 AM
When I see “Barron Trump Called U.K. Police After Witnessing Woman ‘Getting Beat Up on Video Call” I’m skeptical. It sounds like PR people “planted” the story with the media to humanize him and burnish his reputation. I hope I’m wrong and he DID do that. But it’d be out of character in that family.
January 24, 2026 at 6:42 PM
I REALLY want to know this. In addition, whether they rioted or not, how many Proud Boys, Oathkeepers, 3 percenters, and other far right domestic terrorists have they hired.
January 18, 2026 at 3:37 AM
Ear Today, Gone to Maui
open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...
Ear Today, Gone to Maui
I need hearing aids, and I'm getting them
open.substack.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Even The Mighty Thor(n) needs hearing aids.

Thanks for subscribing, reading, commenting, liking, and sharing.

Your support means a great deal to me.

substack.com/profile/3173...
The Wise Ash with Rod Thorn (@rodthorn)
Even The Mighty Thor(n) needs hearing aids. Thanks for subscribing, reading, commenting, liking, sharing. Your support means a great deal to me.
substack.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:01 PM
PLEASE MAKE IT STOP (he shouted to the universe)

U.S. Attacked Boat With Aircraft That Looked Like a Civilian Plane www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/u...
U.S. Attacked Boat With Aircraft That Looked Like a Civilian Plane
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:03 AM
The Wisdom of Storms
Working for IBM brought out the best in me—and the worst
open.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM
I'm going to be writing a lot more about my time at IBM--the good, the bad, and the ugly. But Lou Gerstner's unfortunate passing brought out all the feels in me, so I thought I'd share some now. Thanks for subscribing!

The Wisdom of Storms open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...
The Wisdom of Storms
Working for IBM brought out the best in me—and the worst
open.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Looking at the Washington Post and they’re basically cheerleading Trump and heaping praise on him. Bezos’ influence is OBVIOUS. In another time they’d be calling for impeachment.
January 4, 2026 at 4:09 AM
I learned a lot by writing this essay. Especially how I still carry around my ancestors' baggage on New Year's and every other holiday. Thanks for subscribing!

The New Year Beginneth open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...
The New Year Beginneth
In Colonial New England, the new year started on March 25
open.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:37 PM
I lost a few pounds this year.

I’ve now found them.
December 26, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I don’t like these “year in review” pieces. When we talked in terms of column inches they were useful because they took up space at the of the year.

I also don’t like branding years or eras. As in, “2026 will be the year of AI” and “We are in the next economy.”

Can we just be where we are?
December 24, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Small things can trigger memories, not always good ones. That's what happened when I saw an old ad for this chemistry set.

Knowing some people are reading what I write helps.

A Mad Young Scientist open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...
A Mad Young Scientist
Triggering a chain reaction
open.substack.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:53 PM
This is a good explanation of what it means to have a social democracy as your governing system.

substack.com/@wayyuhl/not...
Way Yuhl (@wayyuhl)
Denmark is not socilaist - here’s what it is
substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:12 PM
I wonder…can the DOJ be charged with obstruction because they redacted so much material in the Epstein files they’re rendered useless?
December 22, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Hell Cats, Hell YES!!!
We’ve served our country in uniform.  Now we are stepping up to serve again. 

We are The Hell Cats — four female veterans that are going to flip the House in 2026.

Join the mission →  hellcats.us
December 19, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Why do I drink a cup of coffee and immediately feel tired afterwards? There’s got to be a physiological explanation.
December 16, 2025 at 5:14 PM
My Christmas Wish

Best wishes to all, and to all a good fight—to remember why we celebrate Christmas.

open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...
My Christmas Wish
Remember what I'm supposed to be celebrating
open.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM
I just read a woman in my town poisoned her husband by making him drink antifreeze.

It’s cold outside, but it’s not THAT cold!
December 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
In addition to writing on Substack, I’m writing for some publications on Medium. Here’s my first piece.

medium.com/another-fuck...
How I Got a FPhD in Swearing
It was a long fucking journey
medium.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:56 PM