Why I’m Starting the Reckoning Circle
A place for deeper conversations about history, culture, and the stories that shape our world.
For a long time now, I’ve been trying to figure out exactly what this space is.
There are days when I write about my career and work with Tribes throughout the United States.
There are days when I talk about how pop culture reflects how and where we are moving as a society.
And there are days when I talk about how hard it is to be father to two boys two thousand miles away.
Defining these aspects of who I am and what I write about has always been a bit of a challenge. But I’ve come to see these things as central to the message of Reckoning. I purposely stepped away from academia because I wanted to think and write more broadly about the human experience and what we’re doing here. And that means doing things like writing about my great love for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe or Comanche Nation or any number of the other folks I’ve met out here, or maybe writing a silly review of a new restaurant I encounter while out on a fire assignment. Some days it is a deep dive on American environmental history. And others it’s simply an expression of gratitude for finally finding my person.
What I have always tried to do though is think and write about the stories that tell us who we are.
That’s what Reckoning is.
You opened this email or clicked on this link. That means you’re already part of this.
This really started when we started to reimagine what Reckoning was and what it could be. We’ve been really fortunate too see this place grow, attracting readers like you, but a who’s who of guests on the podcast.
In other words, Reckoning has become more.
You’ve noticed the increase in production around here (and probably lack of sleep on my end). Our podcasts are getting more expansive, tackling more issues and yes, more movies. And especially more readers—and the messages from you that I’ve received tell me to keep pushing. That we are on the verge of something special.
So how do we go deeper?
No longer just more, but now better as well.
Better conversations. More thinking. More engagement with you. A fuller reckoning, if you will.
So that’s why we are building the Reckoning Circle.
This is going to be the place where we dive deeper, together. Our public posts will continue as always, but I want this first and foremost to be a space for everyone.
But the Reckoning Circle will make that happen. This is where we spend time with the stories and build lasting community.
What you’ll get as part of the Reckoning Circle:
Access to extended podcast conversations. Just like books, almost every pod has something that doesn’t make it to air. These will be conversations with our guests that only Reckoning Circle members have access to.
Ask our guests questions that will be part of the podcast. If there’s an upcoming guest or topic that you’re excited about, you’ll be able to send in questions to the guest that we’ll ask on the air. This is your podcast. And we’ll make sure to post those video segments here as well, just ensure you get to see it.
Book giveaways. We’ve done a couple of these before for subscribers. But I get A LOT of books from publishers. Some make it on the air, others don’t. But being part of the Reckoning Circle means you can claim what interests you, and we’ll send you your copy free of charge—shipping is on us.
Monthly Reckoning Salon (live conversations). Once a month, we’ll gather for a live discussion. Sometimes it will be tied to a film, sometimes a book, sometimes something happening right now that deserves a longer historical view.
Behind the Scenes notes. These things take a lot of work to put together. This shows you what we did to put these episodes and watch parties together.
Occasional Personal Essays. Not everything is for everyone. But these pieces are for members of this community who have continued to support its development.
Reckoning Reading List. What I’m reading and why it matters.
None of this replaces what we are already doing. If you’re a subscriber or a fan and you’ve been enjoying what I write and do, none of that changes. I’m still writing and this stuff is entirely for you. I’m just glad you’re here.
But if you want more—more access, more conversations, more pieces—the Reckoning Circle is for you.
All is this is to say this:
If my writing has moved you, if an episode made you laugh, if this space made you feel there’s a place for you, and you keep opening these emails and clicking on these links and keep coming back
Being a paid subscriber is a way to support this and help it grow.
This allows me to do the work, and frankly, do it at a higher level.
And to borrow from Theodore Roosevelt, if that sounds like a square deal to you, I’d love to have you in the Reckoning Circle. There’s monthly and yearly options, you can click on the button for what works best for you.
Thanks for being here. And thanks for being part of this community.
Jason
Very excited about this. There have been so many times when I'm listening to one of the podcasts and have a question for the guest(s). I'm looking forward to getting to ask them.