For those who are tired of the easy button.
You’re engaged in several projects. You’re also trying to develop mutually fulfilling relationships, take care of yourself, and contribute to a future you want to live in.
The world around you feels fast, overwhelming, and increasingly flat. Nuance is a liability. Echo chambers seem unavoidable. Someone’s constantly trying to sell you something, tell you what to think, or show you why the world is on fire — and you smell the bullshit.
You find yourself asking a bigger, more pressing question: What’s the point? How do you make sense of things and focus your attention on the people, ideas, and pursuits that create meaningful value and light you up?
Most people want simple answers. You want a totally different vantage point.
This newsletter is a space dedicated to the slow, essential work of building understanding. It’s a collection of ideas and questions to help you hone your thinking, discern what’s valuable — and ignore what isn’t.
No fluff. No bullshit.
As a subscriber, you can expect these posts each month:
One Better Question: My weekly email that breaks down one question and how to use it.
One Long-Form Essay: A deep dive into a larger question at the intersection of strategy, economics, and philosophy.
Interviews: Conversations with curious minds when the opportunity presents itself.
My commitment is to respect your time and intelligence. In light of this commitment, my publishing schedule for essays and interviews stays flexible. If I don’t have something that meets my standard for value, I don’t publish until I do.
What Readers Say
“I thought your false values post was terrific. But your [sic] discussion with Gurwinder pushed me over the edge. This, I thought, is a Substack I need to support.”
.
“I'm picky about which newsletters I subscribe to. They must give me a new perspective. They must awe me — from creatively turning a phrase, to sharing something fun and different, to helping me see the world through a unique lens. Katie's newsletter hits the mark for me. Her writing is brilliant while remaining consumable. She takes an everyday topic and shifts it into an intellectual exploration that only the deeply curious can do. I look forward to seeing the wheels of Katie's mind manifest right before my eyes each week in my inbox.”
.
“WTP often makes me think more deeply about topics I had already considered. Katie has a strong point of view and presents a compelling case, but she doesn't stop there. She provides historical and cultural context to the topic at hand, providing me with the information I need to reexamine the topic and reach my own conclusions. It's a rare gift.”
.
Support WTP
WTP is a 100% reader-supported publication. It remains independent, ad-free, and intellectually honest thanks to the support of its paying members. If you’re a paid subscriber, thank you.
If you believe this kind of deep, nuanced, and quiet work is valuable, please consider becoming a supporting member. Your support doesn’t just get you access to members-only posts and the full WTP archive; it makes the entire project possible.
If you’re looking for another way to help, share a post with a friend. There’s no better way for people to discover WTP than packaged in your recommendation tied with the bow of your enthusiasm.
And if you need access to something that’s paywalled, email me at katie@askwtp.com.
About Me
My name is Katie Burkhart.
And I can’t leave disorder alone.
I don’t mean dishes in the sink or clothes on the floor. I’m talking about behaviors that feel out of place, patterns that don’t line up, and other things that don’t make sense.
This kind of disorder itches my brain in the best way. It draws me in. It makes it so I can’t put the puzzle down until I connect all the pieces.
I’ve found the best way to scratch this particular itch is to ask questions because questions determine what you see.
I thrive on unraveling the knots that feel too tangled to touch but too important to leave.
I apply this compulsion to strategy at Point:Value, deep thinking at The Glaede, and my research, writing, and speaking at WTP.
I have delivered keynotes, talks, and workshops for curious teams and communities — including those at Babson and the Ascent Conference. I’ve also appeared on numerous podcasts like On Brand with Nick Westergaard, Leadovation with Dean Newlund, and Soloist Women with Rochelle Moulton. My work has been published in Entrepreneur, The Startup, UX Collective, and Social Media Examiner.
I’m a city dweller who walks everywhere I need to go. I thought the first day of school was the best day of the year. My grandparents still read this newsletter.
.
Connect Further
LinkedIn | Notes | katie@askwtp.com
