The Sunday Long Read
@thesundaylongread.bsky.social
The very best longform journalism, chosen every Sunday by Don Van Natta Jr. & Jacob Feldman. Since 2014.
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"It felt as though I was holding my breath the entire time I read this extraordinary piece, which follows the stories of three mothers in Colorado and their three children who were diagnosed with schizophrenia."-Guest editor @rainesford.bsky.social's top pick magazine.atavist.com/2026/thats-s...
Three Mothers, One Struggle: Saving Their Children with Schizophrenia
When their sons began to suffer from profound mental illness, these Colorado women learned to lean on each other.
magazine.atavist.com
February 8, 2026 at 3:22 PM
"It felt as though I was holding my breath the entire time I read this extraordinary piece, which follows the stories of three mothers in Colorado and their three children who were diagnosed with schizophrenia."-Guest editor @rainesford.bsky.social's top pick magazine.atavist.com/2026/thats-s...
It's been another brutal week in the journalism business. Our heart goes out to the 300+ reporters laid off at @washingtonpost.com, including numerous friends, former colleagues, and writers we look up to. mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
☀️ The Sunday Long Read: Washington Post, Schizophrenia, Excel Champs
The week's best journalism. Every Sunday.
mailchi.mp
February 8, 2026 at 3:18 PM
It's been another brutal week in the journalism business. Our heart goes out to the 300+ reporters laid off at @washingtonpost.com, including numerous friends, former colleagues, and writers we look up to. mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
Morning! Today, we're honored to hand editing duties over to @rainesford.bsky.social, a freelance writer, reporter, and author. Her work has appeared in Teen Vogue, Esquire, ELLE, The Washington Post, and other publications. mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
☀️ The Sunday Long Read: Washington Post, Schizophrenia, Excel Champs
The week's best journalism. Every Sunday.
mailchi.mp
February 8, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Morning! Today, we're honored to hand editing duties over to @rainesford.bsky.social, a freelance writer, reporter, and author. Her work has appeared in Teen Vogue, Esquire, ELLE, The Washington Post, and other publications. mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
More than 3,000 people who entered the U.S. as children younger than 16 were deported in 2025. Pulitzer-winning journalist @johnarchibald.bsky.social puts a human face on that tragedy of unimaginable scale. @jacobfeldman.bsky.social's pick www.al.com/news/2026/01...
’Deported for that?’: Football referee forced to leave Alabama for Mexico
Fonzie had to leave behind his fiancée and 18-month-old son in rural Alabama.
www.al.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:45 PM
More than 3,000 people who entered the U.S. as children younger than 16 were deported in 2025. Pulitzer-winning journalist @johnarchibald.bsky.social puts a human face on that tragedy of unimaginable scale. @jacobfeldman.bsky.social's pick www.al.com/news/2026/01...
The attention-span crisis is far worse than anyone might have imagined. @rosehorowitch.bsky.social explains in one of @dvnjr.bsky.social's picks this week www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
The Film Students Who Can No Longer Sit Through Films
The attention-span crisis goes to the movies.
www.theatlantic.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:41 PM
The attention-span crisis is far worse than anyone might have imagined. @rosehorowitch.bsky.social explains in one of @dvnjr.bsky.social's picks this week www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Morning ☀️Thanks to everyone who took the time to read our latest SLR Original. And a reminder to the writers out there: we're open for pitches! Enjoy this week's issue. mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
☀️ The Sunday Long Read: Melania, Deportee, Anthropic
The week's best journalism. Every Sunday.
mailchi.mp
February 1, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Morning ☀️Thanks to everyone who took the time to read our latest SLR Original. And a reminder to the writers out there: we're open for pitches! Enjoy this week's issue. mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
Saunas are so hot right now. Sorry. Madison Darbyshire and Eleanor Thornber keep the puns to a minimum in this fascinating exploration of why bathhouse culture disappeared in the U.S., and why entrepreneurs are bringing it back. @jacobfeldman.bsky.social's pick www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Why We’re All Trading Happy Hours for the Bathhouse
The sauna industry is hot and only getting hotter — but the boom reveals more about happiness than it does about health.
www.bloomberg.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Saunas are so hot right now. Sorry. Madison Darbyshire and Eleanor Thornber keep the puns to a minimum in this fascinating exploration of why bathhouse culture disappeared in the U.S., and why entrepreneurs are bringing it back. @jacobfeldman.bsky.social's pick www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Don't miss this week's SLR featuring @tribecalledlex.bsky.social, @emilystrasser.bsky.social, @jesusrodriguez.work & more mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
☀️ The Sunday Long Read: Two Chinatowns, Bathhouse Culture, Doomsday Clock
The week's best journalism. Every Sunday.
mailchi.mp
January 26, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Don't miss this week's SLR featuring @tribecalledlex.bsky.social, @emilystrasser.bsky.social, @jesusrodriguez.work & more mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
In our first SLR original of 2026, writer Boen Wang returns with a deeply personal and historical examination of the Chinatowns of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, the two cities that have shaped his life. Why did one thrive while the other barely survived?
sundaylongread.com/2026/01/23/p...
sundaylongread.com/2026/01/23/p...
January 25, 2026 at 4:15 PM
In our first SLR original of 2026, writer Boen Wang returns with a deeply personal and historical examination of the Chinatowns of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, the two cities that have shaped his life. Why did one thrive while the other barely survived?
sundaylongread.com/2026/01/23/p...
sundaylongread.com/2026/01/23/p...
St. John the Baptist Parish is a small industrial hub whose residents face the highest likelihood of developing cancer through air pollution in the U.S. Why is it a battleground in America’s cultural war? @dvnjr.bsky.social's top pick by @tribecalledlex.bsky.social www.theringer.com/2026/01/21/f...
The Sins on the River Road Cannot Be Erased
How did a tiny industrial hub in Louisiana find itself at the center of America’s culture war? For St. John the Baptist Parish, the history is much deeper—and the costs of one age are stacked on the c...
www.theringer.com
January 25, 2026 at 3:53 PM
St. John the Baptist Parish is a small industrial hub whose residents face the highest likelihood of developing cancer through air pollution in the U.S. Why is it a battleground in America’s cultural war? @dvnjr.bsky.social's top pick by @tribecalledlex.bsky.social www.theringer.com/2026/01/21/f...
Hello and welcome back! We've got some terrific stories to share today, starting with the first SLR Original of 2026. If you value this newsletter, we'd greatly appreciate you telling a friend (or three) about The Sunday Long Read! mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
☀️ The Sunday Long Read: Two Chinatowns, Bathhouse Culture, Doomsday Clock
The week's best journalism. Every Sunday.
mailchi.mp
January 25, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Hello and welcome back! We've got some terrific stories to share today, starting with the first SLR Original of 2026. If you value this newsletter, we'd greatly appreciate you telling a friend (or three) about The Sunday Long Read! mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
"Everything about his presence feels analogue. You cannot imagine Paul Mescal with a fluffy Gen-Z fringe." Adam Baidawai's profile of the actor in @gqmagazine.bsky.social is @jacobfeldman.bsky.social's top pick this week www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/paul...
Paul Mescal wants to disappear. After Hamnet, that may not be so easy
In five short years, he’s become one of Hollywood’s most coveted leading men – a singular talent of his generation. But how long can he resist the role the world wants him to play?
www.gq-magazine.co.uk
January 11, 2026 at 2:26 PM
"Everything about his presence feels analogue. You cannot imagine Paul Mescal with a fluffy Gen-Z fringe." Adam Baidawai's profile of the actor in @gqmagazine.bsky.social is @jacobfeldman.bsky.social's top pick this week www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/paul...
A riveting, up-close story about Dr. Maureen McKiernan's debut as the lead surgeon on an infant’s heart transplant. With spare prose, Simar Bajaj takes us inside every astonishing moment as Dr. McKiernan saves six-month-old Baby Luna’s life. @dvnjr.bsky.social's pick www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/w...
90 Minutes to Give Baby Luna a New Heart
www.nytimes.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:19 PM
A riveting, up-close story about Dr. Maureen McKiernan's debut as the lead surgeon on an infant’s heart transplant. With spare prose, Simar Bajaj takes us inside every astonishing moment as Dr. McKiernan saves six-month-old Baby Luna’s life. @dvnjr.bsky.social's pick www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/w...
A new heart, Paul Mescal, Gavin Newsom & more in this week's SLR- don't miss it. mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
☀️ The Sunday Long Read: New Heart, Maduro, Aldi
The week's best journalism. Every Sunday.
mailchi.mp
January 11, 2026 at 2:14 PM
A new heart, Paul Mescal, Gavin Newsom & more in this week's SLR- don't miss it. mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
Don't miss our first newsletter of 2026, featuring @stephenrodrick.bsky.social, @briangroh.bsky.social, @davesheinin.bsky.social & more! mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
☀️ The Sunday Long Read: Fireworks, Political Violence, Fancy Watches
The week's best journalism. Every Sunday.
mailchi.mp
January 5, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Don't miss our first newsletter of 2026, featuring @stephenrodrick.bsky.social, @briangroh.bsky.social, @davesheinin.bsky.social & more! mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
Even with police declining to speak, and core participants quiet, Christina Jedra tracked down more than enough details to craft a moving tale of a celebration gone horribly wrong. @jacobfeldman.bsky.social's top pick www.civilbeat.org/2025/12/fire...
Fireworks Turned A Honolulu Street Into A War Zone
A 3-year-old, a new father and a grandmother were among those killed. Witnesses are left wondering if their deaths will make a difference this year.
www.civilbeat.org
January 4, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Even with police declining to speak, and core participants quiet, Christina Jedra tracked down more than enough details to craft a moving tale of a celebration gone horribly wrong. @jacobfeldman.bsky.social's top pick www.civilbeat.org/2025/12/fire...
A chilling story about the family wreckage left behind by Sara Jane Moore, aka Sarah Kahn, an elderly widower’s new girlfriend with an “infamous past.” @dvnjr.bsky.social's favorite this week by Steven Kurutz www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/s...
She Tried to Kill a President. He Loved Her Anyway.
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 3:52 PM
A chilling story about the family wreckage left behind by Sara Jane Moore, aka Sarah Kahn, an elderly widower’s new girlfriend with an “infamous past.” @dvnjr.bsky.social's favorite this week by Steven Kurutz www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/s...
Welcome back and Happy New Year! If one of your resolutions is to read more, you’ve come to the right place. Among our resolutions this year is highlighting even more ground-level journalism from local outlets and regional magazines. Enjoy! mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
☀️ The Sunday Long Read: Fireworks, Political Violence, Fancy Watches
The week's best journalism. Every Sunday.
mailchi.mp
January 4, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Welcome back and Happy New Year! If one of your resolutions is to read more, you’ve come to the right place. Among our resolutions this year is highlighting even more ground-level journalism from local outlets and regional magazines. Enjoy! mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
Our Best of 2025 edition is here! The list includes stories of urgency and import by writers like @sarahzhang.bsky.social, @korisuzuki.com, @shamblanderson.bsky.social, @epcalabro.bsky.social + many more. mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
☀️ The Sunday Long Read: Best of 2025
The best longform journalism—every Sunday.
mailchi.mp
December 15, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Our Best of 2025 edition is here! The list includes stories of urgency and import by writers like @sarahzhang.bsky.social, @korisuzuki.com, @shamblanderson.bsky.social, @epcalabro.bsky.social + many more. mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
In our latest SLR podcast episode, Alana Newhouse, the editor-in-chief of Tablet, unpacks one of the magazine’s latest cover stories: a piece about the horrors of factory farming in the U.S., specifically as it relates to pig farms. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
December 14, 2025 at 3:50 PM
In our latest SLR podcast episode, Alana Newhouse, the editor-in-chief of Tablet, unpacks one of the magazine’s latest cover stories: a piece about the horrors of factory farming in the U.S., specifically as it relates to pig farms. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
It's here—our year-end double issue! We've got a lot to share this week: our favorites stories of the year, your most-read pieces, great stuff from this week, and plenty more to last you through the holiday season. Enjoy! mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
☀️ The Sunday Long Read: Best of 2025
The best longform journalism—every Sunday.
mailchi.mp
December 14, 2025 at 3:43 PM
It's here—our year-end double issue! We've got a lot to share this week: our favorites stories of the year, your most-read pieces, great stuff from this week, and plenty more to last you through the holiday season. Enjoy! mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
We'll be releasing a new episode of the SLR podcast tomorrow (here's a little preview)! We speak to editor Alana Newhouse about Tablet Magazine's most recent cover story, American Trief: www.tabletmag.com/sections/new...
December 12, 2025 at 7:58 PM
We'll be releasing a new episode of the SLR podcast tomorrow (here's a little preview)! We speak to editor Alana Newhouse about Tablet Magazine's most recent cover story, American Trief: www.tabletmag.com/sections/new...
Check out this week's SLR featuring @jjvincent.bsky.social, @timbontemps.bsky.social, @baxterholmes.bsky.social,
@gedge1.bsky.social, @helenlewis.bsky.social & more! mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
@gedge1.bsky.social, @helenlewis.bsky.social & more! mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
☀️ The Sunday Long Read: 100 Best TV Episodes, No Filter, Playing Santa
The week's best journalism. Every Sunday.
mailchi.mp
December 8, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Check out this week's SLR featuring @jjvincent.bsky.social, @timbontemps.bsky.social, @baxterholmes.bsky.social,
@gedge1.bsky.social, @helenlewis.bsky.social & more! mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
@gedge1.bsky.social, @helenlewis.bsky.social & more! mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...
David Gauvey Herbert does some great shoe leather reporting to track down a series of men who played Santa Claus at Macy's famous Santaland in New York. Their stories are even more amazing than you could imagine. @jacobfeldman.bsky.social's top pick www.esquire.com/lifestyle/a6...
Playing Santa Does Strange Things to a Man. What It Did to Bob Rutan Was Even Stranger.
Bob Rutan is legendary among the tight-knit fraternity of Macy’s Santa Clauses. Like many of these men, playing Santa changed Bob. Profoundly. His story is one of struggle and failure, heartbreak and ...
www.esquire.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:27 PM
David Gauvey Herbert does some great shoe leather reporting to track down a series of men who played Santa Claus at Macy's famous Santaland in New York. Their stories are even more amazing than you could imagine. @jacobfeldman.bsky.social's top pick www.esquire.com/lifestyle/a6...
"I read this piece on Thanksgiving Eve. Over the holiday weekend, I forwarded it, via text and email, to many of my female friends, all of whom responded with a “Wow” or “Spot-on” or the 100 emoji." @dvnjr.bsky.social on his fave this week by Ellen Scherr www.blog.lifebranches.com/p/aging-out-...
Aging Out of Fucks: The Neuroscience of Why You Suddenly Can’t Pretend Anymore
Your brain's middle finger to people-pleasing
www.blog.lifebranches.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:23 PM
"I read this piece on Thanksgiving Eve. Over the holiday weekend, I forwarded it, via text and email, to many of my female friends, all of whom responded with a “Wow” or “Spot-on” or the 100 emoji." @dvnjr.bsky.social on his fave this week by Ellen Scherr www.blog.lifebranches.com/p/aging-out-...