blog.eighty-nine // Happy Sunday! There’s a lot of new faces here, so I figured I’d kick things off with a bit of a reintroduction.
👋🏻 First: I’m Nate. I’m a writer and journalist who’s covered the creator world for the past five years.
At the beginning of 2025, our team (Shua, Moy, and I) opened a creative studio in Chicago called Powder Blue. We set out on a mission to Make The Internet Feel Smaller, kicking things off with in-person gatherings and a print and digital magazine called Creator Mag (which you’re currently reading.)
So what can you expect from this newsletter? A few things:
Neighborhood Watch: Every Thursday, our staff reviews everything from a two-and-a-half-hour Minecraft simulation to a YouTube investigation regarding the true spice levels of Hot Ones’ hot sauce.
Five Things I Think (I Think): This Sunday column pulls the curtain back, revealing the conversations we’re having and cultural trends we’re tracking as we build our creative studio.
The Print Edition: We release a new magazine every quarter, featuring original creator interviews, essays, photography, and design.
By subscribing to the newsletter, you’ll be the first to know when we host upcoming gatherings, drop new products, and share updates on everything happening in our world. And the best part: It’s completely free.
Speaking of which: Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 15, as our next magazine launch (we call these events “Block Parties”) will be in Los Angeles!
We’ll have more details to share soon. In the meantime, today officially marks Day Twenty-One of our monthlong Subathon…which means you have nine more days to refer friends and win exclusive prizes.
We currently have a five-way tie for first place, and the top spot remains within striking distance. Once you’re done referring, scroll down for a special edition of Five Things I Think (I Think).
— NGL
P.S. Last blog, we reviewed YouTube creator Arpi Park’s commentary on “aura farming.” You can read it here.
Day Fifteen :: I think if I don’t create first thing every morning, it only gets harder as the day wears on. Filming a “Day in the Life” video was new for me, but it was fun getting to watch things back and see how I spend my time.
Day Sixteen :: I think climbing is an underrated form of exercise. Moy clocks in for the day from her home in Seattle.
Day Seventeen :: I think you can learn a lot by removing yourself from your routine. Shua takes a in-and-out day trip to NYC.
Day Eighteen :: I think you need to put your head down and grind, but don’t forget to look up every once in a while, either. Shortform video producer Cris settles into his new life in the city.
Day Nineteen: I think the People’s Minecraft Movie is hiding in plain sight. We review gaming creator Alex “ish” Kisiel’s masterful new video—1000 Players Simulate Civilization.
Day Twenty :: I think the algorithm sucks you in, but mindfulness pulls you out. We share Creator Mag guest contributor Connor Blodgett’s thoughtful essay, “One Breath Forward, Two Scrolls Back.”
Thanks for reading! Shoot us a reply, comment, or DM if anything resonated with you in particular—we respond to them all.