the Change

Personal essays by Justin Schafer. Published on the lunar calendar. On masculinity, fatherhood, desire, and building a life that fits.

New Moon·June 14, 2026

Gape

On chaos, surrender, and leaving California unfinished the day before Berlin.

Last Quarter·May 14, 2026

Go east, young man

On leaving California's light for Berlin's shadow, the wall that came down when I was almost two, and the work of becoming less divided.

Full Moon·May 1, 2026

Bloom

On beauty as the highest aim, hiding as the gap, and what opens when you stop managing the light. Today, Tala's books go public.

First Quarter·April 23, 2026

Spice

A coming-out manifesto on wanting wealth and power, the communist in spirit, and what keeps a king uncorruptible.

New Moon·April 17, 2026

Beamer

A Cybertruck loaner, a town full of glares, and the mechanism underneath both.

Full Moon·April 2, 2026

Put It Away, Mr. President

A dream about Trump, inherited masculinity, shovels, and artificial beehives.

First Quarter·March 23, 2026

The Truth Machine

Last Quarter·March 11, 2026

Run

Full Moon·March 3, 2026

You Are the Fire Now

Last Quarter·February 23, 2026

After the Fire