From Starbucks to Substack

Writing and Living the Love Revolution - An interview with Jeff Feldman

Dear friends, we’re mixing it up this week, keeping things interesting! I’m using this week’s post to introduce you to one of the first Substack writers I had the joy of connecting with when I started my Basic Goodness publication at the end of February. If you’re already familiar with Jeff Feldman’s work over at Words Over Swords, this is your chance to hear directly from him about why he’s doing what he’s doing, what he hopes it will achieve (hint: more LOVE and KINDNESS in a world that’s clearly in desperate need), and a fun tidbit about the man behind the words.

First I want to share why I admire and enjoy Jeff so much. He writes with integrity and intelligence about the hatred and divisiveness plaguing our country, but his message is always about the hope in choosing to “lead with love” instead of adding more hate. He shares real accounts of situations where this is difficult to do, but he shows us it’s possible and it’s powerful. He’s never preaching, though – his authenticity, humility, and natural humor come shining through in every word.

Jeff was one of the first people offering appreciation and encouragement when I started Basic Goodness. My biggest intention in writing was to increase the amount of self-compassion in our world, because in myself and my clients and close friends, I’ve seen how acceptance and kindness towards oneself is a crucial foundation before lasting healing can really happen. And I know that deep self-compassion can so often mean unlearning a lifetime of believing we are unworthy and alone.

I love how our two publications harmonize with each other. Jeff’s writing is about spreading kindness out in the world, while my focus has been on the internal kindness that we have to cultivate in order to become a more loving presence in the world. And the more we meet the world with love, from a whole and authentic place, the more peace we find within ourselves. Which in turn, keeps us showing up with love. A beautiful positive feedback loop.

Would you like to introduce yourself, Jeff?

Hello, Basic Goodness readers! I’m Jeff and I write the Substack publication, Words over Swords. My full-time gig is as a social worker and social work educator in New Jersey. I’ve done some technical and professional writing in the past, but Words over Swords is my first foray into writing for an audience in my authentic voice, on topics of my choosing. I’ve long recognized the power in my writing voice, but this is the first time I believed I had an equally powerful message to share.

So what made you decide to share your thoughts on Substack?

In February, I went through a period of deep self-reflection about how I wanted to be present in the world—how I wanted to feel, behave, and, perhaps most importantly, how I wanted to interact with others. Since election day, and even more acutely since inauguration day, I had felt angry, adrift, and afraid. The legacy media, social media, and political machines were pumping out messages of hatred, cruelty, division, and intolerance daily. It was eating me alive. As a response, I published an essay on Facebook, entitled “The World Needs a Love Revolution.” I saw it as my attempt to offer an alternative narrative to the harmful ones that dominated the media landscape; a better, more positive message that appealed to people’s better selves. The feedback to my post was overwhelmingly positive. It felt empowering. Coincidentally, I had been lurking on Substack for several months, mostly to read Heather Cox Richardson, Robert Reich, and the Bulwark, as well as a few other publications. But I had never once considered publishing my own thoughts and musings. I didn’t even have a regular writing habit or process to build upon. But I felt an urgent need to share my message of love and authentic connection in a time of dark, encroaching clouds. It was a way I could make a positive impact on our chaotic world. So on March 1, I launched Words over Swords on Substack with a slightly more polished version of “The World Needs a Love Revolution.” It felt right.

What can readers expect from your work?

I’d say it consists primarily of personal essays, thought pieces, and commentary on American society, informed by a social work perspective. Much of my writing has addressed the concept of Leading with Love, a way of being present in the world grounded in authenticity, curiosity, connection, and positive intention. Everything I’m doing is developing organically, in real time, which is really exciting.

It is exciting! Do you have a goal for Words over Swords? Something you’re hoping to achieve?

My answer to that question is constantly evolving. Initially, I just wanted an outlet for what I thought was my lone voice calling for love, compassion, and hope in the face of constant messages of division and disunity. However, as I began to engage more deeply with Substack and the community here, I discovered many people were involved in similar work. This was clearly not your typical social media platform. I was struck by two things: the number of people using this platform to attempt to bring good into the world, and the vast potential present in this engaged, authentic, caring community. It felt like something special was happening here. I began to envision Words over Swords as more than a blog, but rather, a community—one where people could come for positive connection, support, and meaningful exchanges, and, yes, the discussion of the preservation of our democracy.

Admittedly, there is a clear political bent to my work, sometimes overt, other times more subtle. But with the soul of our nation at stake, I believe everything we do right now needs to address our precarious political reality. On April 1, in response to what I saw as increasing community need resulting from the cancellation of federal funding streams, I began an experiment in leveraging the power of our online community to support our communities in the real-world. It’s called the Giving Tzedakah Project. In short, it works like this: any income (i.e., paid subscriptions and tips) I receive through my work on Words over Swords will be donated to non-profit organizations operating in the local communities of Words over Swords readers. The first non-profit I selected is the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. My goal is to raise at least $250 dollars by the end of June, which will then be donated to the FoodBank. Each quarter, we’ll select a different non-profit to support.

That’s really admirable. Thank you for doing that! Hey, how about a fun fact about yourself?

Sure, I’ll share my go-to fun fact. It’s a crowd pleaser: my wife and I got married at Starbucks. Really! Here's the two-minute story. We met when she was a barista at my local Starbucks, and I was self-employed using Starbucks as my home base. We got to know each other a bit across the counter, then started trading recommendations for books, movies, comics, and graphic novels. Soon, she started sitting with me on her breaks. We traded phone numbers. Friendship bloomed and eventually led to romance. When we decided to get married a few years later, we wanted to do something small and inexpensive. She joked that we should get married at the Starbucks where we met, and I took it seriously. Very seriously. We pitched the idea to her manager, who cleared it with corporate, and the rest was matrimony! We'll be married ten years in July.

Happy Early Anniversary! That’s a sweet story. So now that we’ve introduced you to my readers, would you mind sharing a bit about what drew you to my work? We’ve been moving in the same Substack circles since we both started here. What made Basic Goodness stand out to you?

You did, Morgan! I found your writing warm and engaging. Reading it just made me feel good. Also, like you mentioned, we launched our Substacks within a few days of each other. So we were experiencing and writing notes about very similar things at the same time: the newness of publishing on Substack, the excitement of our first posts, first feedback, first subscribers... and somewhere along the way, we started offering support and encouragement to each other. It was like we had each taken our initial baby steps and now we were learning to walk in a shared playpen. More importantly, your writing resonates with me. Your writing voice, tone, and style, your message and the authenticity with which it’s delivered— I think I sensed a kindred spirit and a genuine person behind your screen. That’s why I hit subscribe.

I’m touched. Thank you so much! So we should probably wrap up soon. Before we close, can you share your favorite Words over Swords essays that you think people should read?

I’d be happy to. Thanks for giving me space to share, Morgan! I can be very didactic and procedural, so I’m inclined to list the three essays I think are essential in understanding what I’m trying to do with Words over Swords. But that feels too mechanical and impersonal. I’m going to lead with my heart instead. You asked for my favorites, so here they are: the two pieces that make me fanboy over my own work, and an under-appreciated third essay that made me say aloud, “Wow. Did I write that?”

The One Where I Almost Fought a Nazi

The One Where I Almost Fought a Nazi

How to Remain Whole while Confronting Hate

How to Remain Whole while Confronting Hate

The Times They Are A-Changin’ 2: Election Boogaloo

The Times They Are A-Changin’ 2: Election Boogaloo

And here are a couple great pictures that capture the essence of Jeff’s kind heart:

at the Hands Off rally on April 5th

with his little buddy, Tyrion Lannispaw

Now that you know Jeff Feldman, I hope you’ll check out what he’s doing at Words Over Swords. He interviewed me as well, and will be posting that article this coming weekend!

If you’re new here, welcome to Basic Goodness. I’m so glad you’re here. In this space you’ll find heartfelt reflections, personal and professional stories, and encouragement to be gentle and kind to yourself when it matters most. I am a longtime student of self-compassion and mindfulness, reconnecting with the beauty and wisdom of our true Selves, and finding more ease and joy as we soften our resistance to life’s harder moments. Hard-won knowledge based on my own suffering and learning, as well as that of my coaching and therapy clients. Thank you for reading. ❤️