What does it mean to
live well in America today?
Tusk & Quill is a publication exploring what it means to 'live well' in America.
We do this by curating thoughtful writing, artwork, podcast discussions, and events that are anchored in our thesis that, in order to 'live well', we must:
Deeply understand the various dimensions of America – its local histories, natural landscapes, institutions, and cultural trends, such that we develop a genuine connection to the land and the life that inhabits it
Engage in constructive discourse – developing and presenting well-reasoned arguments on how we think things ought to be, and debating those ideas in good faith
Promote high-agency community-orientedness – spotlighting initiatives and organizations that exemplify it, and appreciating the practical realities of putting creative solutions into action
Develop an intuition for holistic 'well-being' – sharing practices, theories and personal experiments to develop a sense of what it feels like to work towards a state of well-being, and what it takes to maintain it
We believe these four endeavors will enable us to 'live well', and they form the basis of the publication, our four segments: Culture, Discourse, Community, and Well-Being.
Our aim is to foster an ecosystem that cultivates ideas and drives action toward lasting, collective well-being.
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The Culture segment is interested in thoroughly understanding America, its places and its people. Yes, we will look to the latest movies, books, and shows to gain insight into the evolving zeitgeist. But we will also look beyond that, to the rhythm of life in sleepy suburbs, the humming of local economies, and even the evolution of natural landscapes to get a more holistic picture of the myriad influences that shape the tapestry of American thought and experience.
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The Discourse segment is concerned with debates, big and small, that are relevant to us all and animate the public consciousness. The segment aims for balance, i.e., to provide readers with respectful analyses of multiple perspectives on an issue. We are interested in both mainstream and heterodox arguments and ideas that can provide clarity and inspire solutions to challenging questions.
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The Community segment is interested in the meeting of theory and practice when it comes to building healthier communities. What actually makes a society sustainable? We are inspired by high-agency solution-oriented people who think holistically about the complex problems they are grappling with. This segment will feature profiles on these people, their projects, and the underlying ideas that they are trying to realize.
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The Well-Being segment is meant to be a trustworthy guide in our readers’ journey towards improving health at all levels - physical, emotional, psychological, communal, etc. Here you’ll find commentary on the latest scientific research, traditional approaches to healthfulness, and practical advice that can build your awareness and help inspire your own experiments in enhancing well-being.
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Our four segments
provide a framework for article
and podcast curation. -
Our publication is for thoughtful, discerning young adults who are curious about America – its places, people, and diverse perspectives – and want to devote some of their time and energy towards realizing its possibilities.
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We seek insights rooted in the varied realities of life in the U.S.
In the arena of policy, we are keenly interested in pragmatic synthesis - the courage to grapple with nuance and will to identify comprehensive solutions that work in practice. We welcome ideas from across the political landscape, so long as they are offered in good faith.
We are also interested in applied wisdom from world traditions and indigenous peoples. For ages, civilizations across the globe have sought to understand the mechanics of harmonious and prosperous living, just as we're doing today; we're eager to digest their learnings. Good ideas can come from all directions.
Curious about our name?
Our Ethos
Our Process
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We typically engage with writers
on a one-off basis or as part of
our Rotational Program.Our Editorial Team works closely
with writers from pitch to publish.
We encourage prospective writers
to submit a pitch or outline
for one of our segments,
rather than a first draft.You can send it to
The T&Q Editorial Team,
or email us with questions
at info@tuskandquill.org. -
If you have a pitch,
you can send to
The T&Q Editorial Team,
or email us with questions at
info@tuskandquill.org. -
Meet our team and regular writers!