Why We’re Restarting: Our Move from Substack to Ghost

You know when you make all these plans, write them down, and then life comes along like a freight train and just flattens everything in its path? Yeah, that’s what happened with our Substack newsletter. We had these grand plans for the Vestkystruten diary from 2024, all set up, all written down, day by day… and then, nothing. We stopped sending it, even though we had the whole thing practically done. Why? Good question. The short answer is: life. The longer answer? Well, let’s dive into that.

We’re making a move now—again. This time, we’re leaving Substack behind and heading to Ghost. Why? Because we need more freedom. More space to write. More space to fail and try again. We’re gonna write way more frequently. And no, it’s not because we think we’ll have everything figured out this time. It’s because we’re gonna push ourselves to be better. We’re all in.

The Substack Days: A Bit of a Mess
Let’s be real—things didn’t go exactly to plan on Substack. The Vestkystruten diaries? They’re still there, hanging in the air like unfinished business. Days 1-3? Done. But the rest? Stuck in limbo. Part of me feels guilty. What the hell happened? But another part of me just laughs. Because it wasn’t some grand conspiracy or a lack of care—it was life. We got busy, distracted, overwhelmed. Things got in the way, and before we knew it, the momentum was gone. So, yeah… sorry about that. But we promised we’d get back to it. And we will. We’ll finish the damn thing, even if it takes us forever.

So, to everyone who’s been waiting for those next chapters: they’re coming. I don’t know if you still care, but I hope you do. Because the truth is, those stories from the road? They still matter. To us. To you. To anyone who’s ever had their own journey to share.

Why Ghost? Because We’re Not Doing This Half-Assed
We’re leaving Substack behind because we need a platform that doesn’t hide behind "free speech" to enable right-wing extremism or support spaces that promote hate. This is something we’ve had a real issue with for a while. The whole "free speech" argument has been twisted by a lot of platforms to give cover to some seriously dangerous rhetoric. Substack was one of those. I’m not gonna lie—it’s been frustrating trying to figure out the balance of where we stand. It’s tough, because there’s a part of me that believes in giving people the platform to speak freely, but not when that "freedom" is used to spread hate. This is what pissed me off about Instagram too. It’s become a platform where right-wing extremism thrives under the guise of free speech. And for all the pros that platform has, it’s still hard for me to feel good about being there, knowing that it’s being used to fuel that kind of toxic energy.

I still haven’t found the perfect alternative—because I do enjoy the community and connection we’ve built. But with Ghost, I know at least we’re on a platform that shares our values. It’s not about censorship—it’s about protecting the community we’re building. And we refuse to let this space be tainted by people who would rather divide than unite.

The World Feels Like a Bad Comedy Right Now
Honestly, have you been watching the news? The US elections, the German elections... it feels like we’re all living in some bad comedy movie, and yet, we’re all part of it. It’s weird, isn’t it? Everything’s upside down. People shouting at each other, taking sides, blaming one another. It’s easy to throw up your hands and just check out. But it’s tough because—we’re in it. All of us. It's like we’re all playing a part in a story that doesn’t make any sense. Who writes this shit?

What frustrates me is the way people seem more focused on dividing than coming together. It’s this constant cycle of “us vs. them” that only gets louder with each passing day. It’s exhausting. It makes you wonder, where is the line between passionate resistance and just total chaos?

But here’s the thing: we can’t just check out. We can’t throw our hands up and walk away, no matter how tempting it may seem. Because there’s a real us vs. them that matters—fascism, authoritarianism, hate. That’s the fight we need to show up for. That’s where the line really needs to be drawn. This is the “us” fighting for freedom, equality, and justice against the “them” who are trying to tear it all down. This is where our energy needs to go—fighting for a world that’s fair, open, and human.

So yeah, while the rest of the world seems hell-bent on tearing itself apart, we’re here fighting for something better. And maybe the world feels like a train wreck, but it doesn’t mean we can’t do our part to steer clear of it, or at least carve out our own space. What keeps us sane is finding those small, meaningful moments of resistance—whether it’s through the people we meet on the road, through the rides we take, or the stories we share. Those are the things that keep us grounded.

Because, as chaotic as everything seems, the moments we create together are real. And maybe that’s the only thing that matters at this point—finding those threads of connection in a world that feels like it’s losing its mind. We can’t fix everything. But we can be real. We can be honest. We can be human.

A Concert That Felt Like a Warm Coat
Last weekend, we went to see our good friend Matze Rossi live. And let me tell you, it felt like a warm coat in a cold, fucked-up world. His music cuts through the noise—it’s raw, it’s real, and it’s something you can feel deep inside. There’s a power in live music, and being in a room full of people, all vibing to the same energy, it’s grounding. Matze doesn’t just perform; he makes you feel every word, every note, every pause. It’s not just about the music—it’s about what that music does for us. In a time where everything seems to be crumbling, where we’re all facing global challenges, his songs remind us that there’s strength in connection. It felt like a hug—a reminder that we’re not alone in this, no matter how tough it gets.

Matze has written a lot of deeply personal songs over the years that touch on themes we can all relate to. Songs that speak to the struggles of everyday life, love, loss, and everything in between. But for this post, I want to talk about one specific song we’re especially connected to right now: Milliarden.

For Those Who Don’t Know Matze Rossi
If you haven’t heard of Matze Rossi, you’re missing out. His music tackles the human experience and the struggles of our world with raw honesty. Milliarden is one of those songs that hits hard—it’s not just music, it’s a message.

It speaks to today’s biggest challenges: migration, climate change, and the need to unite against hate and division. Matze spent two years perfecting this song, rewriting it over and over, and it’s still evolving. The video is just as powerful, created with the help of his friends to amplify the message of solidarity and collective action.

"We’re billions who will find each other, we are not alone."

For us, Milliarden holds extra meaning because we’re in the video! If you watch closely, you’ll spot Jana and me. It’s a reminder that when we come together, we can achieve something bigger than ourselves.

Give it a listen—it’s more than a song; it’s a call to action. We’re not alone, and together, we can make a difference.

What’s Next? More Stories, More Adventures
So, here we are. New platform. New commitment. Same old honesty. We’ve got a lot of stories we want to share. The road trips, the struggles, the victories, the lows, the raw, the beautiful. And we’re going to write about them, share them, reflect on them more than ever. The goal? To keep it real. To keep it human.

And yes, that includes finishing the Vestkystruten Diaries. We owe it to ourselves, and to you. So stay tuned. We’re just getting started.