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all essays.


Jean Pormanove and the problem with livestreaming abuse.
Jean Pormanove’s death during a livestream shows how quickly cruelty can be turned into entertainment. Despite warnings, platforms like Kick allowed abuse to continue while audiences paid to keep it going. His story is not only about one man but about the culture we are building online, and whether it will reward empathy or spectacle.

Josiah Pearlstein
Aug 21, 20254 min read


vos: my version of lonely.
“my version of lonely” explores my personal encounters with missed connections, changing friendships, and the quiet ways we cope when we’re not sure we truly belong.

Josiah Pearlstein
Jul 31, 202510 min read


the art of noticing.
discover the art of noticing in everyday life. this reflection explores how slowing down and paying attention to small moments can bring calm, clarity, and meaning.

Josiah Pearlstein
Jul 28, 20253 min read


i wake up already behind: living with emotional burnout.
a quiet reflection on the pressure to hold it all together. it’s about the cycle of expectations, exhaustion from emotional burnout, and the possibility that things don’t always have to stay this way.

Josiah Pearlstein
Jun 28, 20253 min read


when another culture feels like a parallel universe.
a reflection on how culture shapes what we see as “normal.” from the left side of the road in london to familiar hills in israel, this piece explores the subtle ways travel shifts our perspective and how the world can feel both foreign and familiar at the same time.

Josiah Pearlstein
Jun 25, 20253 min read


the moral math of medical debt.
medical debt can start in a moment, but follow you for years. this is about one hospital bill, how it shaped my life, and how the system punishes people trying to survive.

Josiah Pearlstein
Jun 22, 20253 min read


when hesitation holds us back.
why do we hesitate, even when we're ready to grow? whether you're starting a business, pursuing a project, or making a big decision, trust matters. this post reflects on how fear and uncertainty can hold us back, and why the right tools, support, and honesty can make a real difference.

Josiah Pearlstein
Jun 21, 20253 min read


spotlight: Johnny Yukon.
Johnny Yukon doesn’t create noise, he builds atmosphere. In this first entry of spotlight on chatpastel, I explore the cinematic, quietly emotional world he’s shaped, from SoundCloud roots to immersive concept releases.

Josiah Pearlstein
Jun 13, 20255 min read


when joy demands a paycheck: the pressure to monetize everything.
enjoyment gets questioned the moment it stops producing results. the pressure to monetize everything reshapes how time, hobbies, and rest are judged, turning joy into something that has to earn its place.

Josiah Pearlstein
Jun 10, 20255 min read


Jonathan Joss deserved better.
Jonathan Joss was more than the voice behind iconic roles. He was a symbol of representation and resilience. His death, believed by many to be a hate crime, was both tragic and preventable. This post reflects on his life, the events leading up to his death, and the systems that failed him.

Josiah Pearlstein
Jun 7, 20255 min read
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