It’s been a while.
If you’ve been following my writing or media work in the past, you might have noticed that I’ve been unusually quiet. No columns, no podcasts, no commentary — just silence.
I didn’t burn out. I didn’t move to a monastery. I wasn’t kidnapped by tech billionaires for an underground mind project (though that’s not far off, if you squint). I just... disappeared. On purpose.
Three years ago, I stepped away from public work to chase an idea—a tangled, urgent thought I couldn’t shake. It began as a question, then evolved into a theory, and eventually expanded into something bigger than I expected. The type of idea that compels you to rethink everything else: psychology, biology, belief, behaviour, even purpose.
But don’t worry—I’m not here to pitch a TED Talk or start a cult. Not yet.
This newsletter marks my gradual return—a space to write once more. It’s an opportunity to reflect, question, observe, and, hopefully, reconnect.
For now, I’ll be posting weekly or fortnightly essays. Some will focus on the psychology of everyday life: why we’re anxious all the time, how happiness became a trap, and why echo chambers feel so damn good. Some might be controversial if I’m feeling brave. Others could be more personal — what it’s like to transition from full-time professional to part-time semi-nomad, splitting life between Australia and Bali. There may even be snippets of fiction from a novel I’ve been working on — one that weaves together grief, belief, and technology in ways I’m still trying to understand.
I’ll post them on my Substack. If you're interested, pop across and sign up to get notified. Also probably on LinkedIn and Facebook.
What brings it all together is curiosity. I’m fascinated by how people operate, what fractures us, what unifies us, and where meaning fits into a world that often appears designed for noise.
If that sort of thing resonates with you — or if you're simply curious to see what comes from a psychiatrist who’s been off-grid and overthinking — then subscribe below, and feel free to say g’day.
Thanks for waiting. It’s good to be back.
— Steve
PS You can follow me on Substack HERE to get any new writing directly in your email inbox! How exciting 😉