Jor-El Caraballo
@jorelcaraballo.bsky.social
Author. Mental health pro. Foodie.
It can feel like the world continues to grab at your threads, pressuring you to release parts of yourself to fulfill its expectations. We are at our best when we remember that there is power in self-possession and agency in what we share or hold on to.
jorelcaraballo.substack.com/p/holding-yo...
jorelcaraballo.substack.com/p/holding-yo...
Holding Yourself in a World That Keeps Grabbing
Notes on self-possession
jorelcaraballo.substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:13 PM
It can feel like the world continues to grab at your threads, pressuring you to release parts of yourself to fulfill its expectations. We are at our best when we remember that there is power in self-possession and agency in what we share or hold on to.
jorelcaraballo.substack.com/p/holding-yo...
jorelcaraballo.substack.com/p/holding-yo...
I’m supposed to tell you that my new book, Mindful Meditations for Black Men, is out January 6!
Pre-order here: www.simonandschuster.com/books/Mindfu...
Pre-order here: www.simonandschuster.com/books/Mindfu...
Mindful Meditations for Black Men
An empowering and thought-provoking collection of meditations for Black men, helping them to experience the awareness, enlightenment, and healing t...
www.simonandschuster.com
December 28, 2025 at 11:10 PM
I’m supposed to tell you that my new book, Mindful Meditations for Black Men, is out January 6!
Pre-order here: www.simonandschuster.com/books/Mindfu...
Pre-order here: www.simonandschuster.com/books/Mindfu...
If you’re not feeling so merry and bright this holiday season, you’re not alone.
Here are some of my recent reflections and reminders as I work through some of my own challenges this season 🎄
open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
Here are some of my recent reflections and reminders as I work through some of my own challenges this season 🎄
open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
Holiday Heartbreak
Helpful reminders if you're not feeling so merry and bright
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:37 PM
If you’re not feeling so merry and bright this holiday season, you’re not alone.
Here are some of my recent reflections and reminders as I work through some of my own challenges this season 🎄
open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
Here are some of my recent reflections and reminders as I work through some of my own challenges this season 🎄
open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
Reposted by Jor-El Caraballo
MEN: I have an opportunity for you to meaningfully support people who have abortions - buy a copy of THE ABORTION COMPANION: An Affirming Handbook for Your Choice and Your Journey and donate it to your local clinic, free little library, etc. You don’t have to need the book yourself to help someone!
December 11, 2025 at 12:44 AM
MEN: I have an opportunity for you to meaningfully support people who have abortions - buy a copy of THE ABORTION COMPANION: An Affirming Handbook for Your Choice and Your Journey and donate it to your local clinic, free little library, etc. You don’t have to need the book yourself to help someone!
As many of us intentionally lean into gratitude this week around the dinner table I'm sharing why the G.L.A.D. technique is a helpful tool for mental health:
jorelcaraballo.substack.com/p/a-gratitud...
jorelcaraballo.substack.com/p/a-gratitud...
A Gratitude Practice to Feel GLAD
Here's your practical tip for more positivity while giving thanks
jorelcaraballo.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:09 PM
As many of us intentionally lean into gratitude this week around the dinner table I'm sharing why the G.L.A.D. technique is a helpful tool for mental health:
jorelcaraballo.substack.com/p/a-gratitud...
jorelcaraballo.substack.com/p/a-gratitud...
My new project, The Shadow Work Self-Reflection Deck, is out in just a few weeks. Submit your proof of pre-order and get a freebie delivered right to your inbox!
tinyurl.com/shadow-work-...
tinyurl.com/shadow-work-...
The Shadow Work Self-Reflection Deck
Unlock the transformative power of shadow work and self-discovery with The Shadow Work Self-Reflection Deck, a comprehensive self-help tool designe...
tinyurl.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:44 PM
My new project, The Shadow Work Self-Reflection Deck, is out in just a few weeks. Submit your proof of pre-order and get a freebie delivered right to your inbox!
tinyurl.com/shadow-work-...
tinyurl.com/shadow-work-...
My new card deck, The Shadow Work Self-Reflection Deck, is coming out in a just a few weeks! www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Sh...
The Shadow Work Self-Reflection Deck
Unlock the transformative power of shadow work and self-discovery with The Shadow Work Self-Reflection Deck, a comprehensive self-help tool designe...
www.simonandschuster.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:11 PM
My new card deck, The Shadow Work Self-Reflection Deck, is coming out in a just a few weeks! www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Sh...
Make no mistake, this sort of proposal is not just about controlling access to healthcare but testing the limit of law (for the sake of even grander, horrific plans) and the morality of access to healthcare as a fundamental human right.
This cannot stand.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
This cannot stand.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Trump pushes an end to medical care for transgender youth nationally
The White House plans to bar hospitals that treat transgender children and youth from getting any Medicare and Medicaid payments. The move would affect trans youth who have private insurance, too.
www.npr.org
October 30, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Make no mistake, this sort of proposal is not just about controlling access to healthcare but testing the limit of law (for the sake of even grander, horrific plans) and the morality of access to healthcare as a fundamental human right.
This cannot stand.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
This cannot stand.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Hey NY, do your thing ✊🏾
New Yorkers! The New York State Teachers Union has created an easy way for you to tell Governor Hochul to sign the right to read law.
Tell Gov. Hochul to sign the Freedom to Read Act!
Tell Governor Hochul to stand up for free access to books and ideas—urge her to sign S.1099/A.7777 to protect New York’s school and public libraries from censorship.
mac.nysut.org
October 14, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Hey NY, do your thing ✊🏾
There's so much pressure to keep up with everything, to have all the right answers...to always be knowing.
What if we gave ourselves permission to embrace ambiguity and confusion with compassion?
What if we gave ourselves permission to embrace ambiguity and confusion with compassion?
October 14, 2025 at 3:10 PM
There's so much pressure to keep up with everything, to have all the right answers...to always be knowing.
What if we gave ourselves permission to embrace ambiguity and confusion with compassion?
What if we gave ourselves permission to embrace ambiguity and confusion with compassion?
We have to stop feeding this narrative that asking about mental health somehow creates mental health concerns. It doesn't.
Asking about mental health reduces stigma and helps identify sources of support that may even help prevent mental health crisis.
Asking about mental health reduces stigma and helps identify sources of support that may even help prevent mental health crisis.
September 16, 2025 at 9:04 PM
We have to stop feeding this narrative that asking about mental health somehow creates mental health concerns. It doesn't.
Asking about mental health reduces stigma and helps identify sources of support that may even help prevent mental health crisis.
Asking about mental health reduces stigma and helps identify sources of support that may even help prevent mental health crisis.
Today I’m exploring mental health and stigma in my open letter to Lil Nas X. I hope that anyone who struggles with their mental health can find refuge in my words of encouragement.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
An Open Letter to Lil Nas X
And to anyone struggling in silence
substack.com
September 3, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Today I’m exploring mental health and stigma in my open letter to Lil Nas X. I hope that anyone who struggles with their mental health can find refuge in my words of encouragement.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
A 16 year old boy from California has died by suicide after consulting with AI to address his mental health issues. This is a horrific and tragic story. We DESPERATELY need reasonable safeguards for AI as its now incredibly common for folks to use it for emotional support.
August 27, 2025 at 5:20 PM
A 16 year old boy from California has died by suicide after consulting with AI to address his mental health issues. This is a horrific and tragic story. We DESPERATELY need reasonable safeguards for AI as its now incredibly common for folks to use it for emotional support.
Mental health struggles, like depression, often distort the way we think and it's common to become fixed in those perceptions. Trying on new ways to think can help.
open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
The Benefit of Doubt For Your Mental Health
How to tackle depression when it lies to you
open.substack.com
August 19, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Mental health struggles, like depression, often distort the way we think and it's common to become fixed in those perceptions. Trying on new ways to think can help.
open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
Reposted by Jor-El Caraballo
It's never too early to plan for the next election. Are there candidates in your local elections committed to protecting free speech & the right to read? If not, maybe the person who needs to step up is you.
August 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM
It's never too early to plan for the next election. Are there candidates in your local elections committed to protecting free speech & the right to read? If not, maybe the person who needs to step up is you.
Here’s some positive book news!
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Florida Court Favors Authors, Publishers, Readers in ‘PRH v. Gibson’
The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida has upheld the freedom to read in Penguin Random House v. Gibson, a lawsuit filed in August 2024 to challenge key provisions of Florida HB 10...
www.publishersweekly.com
August 14, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Here’s some positive book news!
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
This is great! www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
National Association of Black Bookstores Launches
The new member-based organization has officially launched with the aim of supporting and promoting Black booksellers inside the industry and beyond. The news has drawn mixed responses from the Black b...
www.publishersweekly.com
August 6, 2025 at 5:19 PM
This is great! www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Mindfulness in Daily Life
open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
Mindfulness in Daily Life (At the Italian Restaurant)
Author talks, nature walks, and sips of Italian espresso
open.substack.com
July 25, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Mindfulness in Daily Life
open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
Reflections on the 4th of July: open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
Reflections on the 4th of July
"You may rejoice, I must mourn.”
open.substack.com
July 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Reflections on the 4th of July: open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
Reposted by Jor-El Caraballo
Have you heard of Getting Word? It’s a collective of literary organizations dedicated to the cultivation and preservation of Black literature.
This Juneteenth, you can support their mission to #fundblackliterature and shop their curated list on our site:
bookshop.org/info/getting...
This Juneteenth, you can support their mission to #fundblackliterature and shop their curated list on our site:
bookshop.org/info/getting...
Bookshop x Getting Word
bookshop.org
June 18, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Have you heard of Getting Word? It’s a collective of literary organizations dedicated to the cultivation and preservation of Black literature.
This Juneteenth, you can support their mission to #fundblackliterature and shop their curated list on our site:
bookshop.org/info/getting...
This Juneteenth, you can support their mission to #fundblackliterature and shop their curated list on our site:
bookshop.org/info/getting...
Well this is certainly one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever read.
The Atlantic should be ashamed of publishing this nightmare piece from Liz Bruenig, whose callous dismissal of Adriana Smith's dignity is one of the most shocking things I've ever read.
June 17, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Well this is certainly one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever read.
Stories, wishes, and dreams are all made manifest by words and that's what makes words special.
open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
For the Love of Words
I should’ve known I’d become a writer someday.
open.substack.com
May 27, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Stories, wishes, and dreams are all made manifest by words and that's what makes words special.
open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
open.substack.com/pub/jorelcar...
Reposted by Jor-El Caraballo
Friends in New Hampshire! Have you contacted Governor Ayotte yet? newhampshirebulletin.com/2025/05/21/b...
Bill derided by authors as enabling book banning heads to Ayotte's desk • New Hampshire Bulletin
If New Hampshire adopts a law to make it easier to remove books from school libraries, “Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult could be one of them.
newhampshirebulletin.com
May 22, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Friends in New Hampshire! Have you contacted Governor Ayotte yet? newhampshirebulletin.com/2025/05/21/b...
Here's some good news coming out of Congress. In a bipartisan effort, Congress has passed the Take It Down Act. This act provides recourse for victims of deepfakes and revenge porn.
May 19, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Here's some good news coming out of Congress. In a bipartisan effort, Congress has passed the Take It Down Act. This act provides recourse for victims of deepfakes and revenge porn.