I have some news: After 6.5 incredible years at The Atlantic, I’ve gone freelance! I am so excited to have more time to focus on my own writing, but I am already missing my amazing colleagues.

They say you haven’t lived until you’ve been laid off. I’ve now lived once. Gutted to see so many coworkers lose their jobs at the Post today. If you know anyone who’s hiring a politics/culture/magazine writer with a law degree who also speaks Spanish: jesusrodriguez.work

Last week in Minnesota, I watched ordinary people risk their lives to protect their neighbors. In the process, they not only won a significant—though not final—victory against authoritarianism, they proved virtually every MAGA social theory wrong. (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

Many parents are teaching their children that they don’t have to hug anyone they don’t want to—but not all relatives are understanding. Rheana Murray on the new rules of family affection:

Really thrilled to have my first @theatlantic.com byline today, and biggest thanks to @katecray.bsky.social for thoughtful edits and for nurturing this piece along.

A really interesting essay from @cray_kate about Carlo Acutis, the first Millennial saint: www.theatlantic.com/family/archi...

The Catholic Church is about to canonize Carlo Acutis, the first Millennial to become a saint. @katecray.bsky.social reports on the different ways that the faithful see him:

When Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, and other 1970s music legends needed an instrument—or a friend—my dad, Fred Walecki, was there. My love song to him in @theatlantic.com September issue: bit.ly/45eZIfa

“I’ve experienced too many moments,” @jessicaslice.bsky.social writes @theatlantic.com, “trapped upstairs while my family laughs, argues, sings, or cries, just out of reach.” A beautiful, harrowing essay shepherded by @katecray.bsky.social. www.theatlantic.com/family/archi...

“I’ve been disabled for 14 years,” Jessica Slice writes, “but have never lived somewhere safe where I can use all (or even most) of the rooms.” She reports on the indignities of seeking housing when exclusion is built into the architecture:

Hello! I’m WIRED’s senior politics editor, and it’s hard to put into words what it’s been like in our newsroom this year. I am so in awe of my colleagues here, and so grateful to wake up every day to get you, our lovely readers, the news. If you’ve haven’t already, subscribe!! Help us keep it going.

Somehow, 375 years ago, the Quakers developed a religion whose core principles align well with the pillars of modern parenting research. Gail Cornwall on what parents of any faith—or none—can learn from them:

I didn’t think my association with the divine had anything to do with writing for parents adrift in a sea of advice. Then a Queen's Gambit moment revealed that, for me, Quakerism had provided a research-backed rudder. My latest for @theatlantic.com. www.theatlantic.com/family/archi...

An unsigned 1902 Atlantic article about “strenuous parentage” argued that intensive parenting methods would leave adults worn out. More than a century later, its author has proved to be right, Kate Cray writes in Time-Travel Thursdays:

couldn't think of a better motivation for a first post on here! 🥳