Why Apocrypha, and Why Here
Recently I found myself casting about for a platform that could help me express myself and actually reach the people I want to talk to—something beyond just posting Casey’s DeepThoughts™ into the algorithmic void.
In the old days we called this kind of thing a blog. These days, everyone seems to use Substack or Patreon. But my needs are somewhat unique.
Professionally, I’m a Buddhist chaplain and an author. My published books are cultural histories (and one book on music copyright that appeals to, let’s say, a more specialized market). I intend to occasionally write about my chaplaincy experiences here, and I also want a place to talk about book projects. Dead Dharma, for instance, is forthcoming from Oxford University Press on November 5, 2026, and I’d like somewhere to post developments, reviews, appearances, etc. Other times I just want to riff on movies, literature, or—gasp!—politics the way I might elsewhere. A long-form space to stretch my legs.
In addition to prison chaplaincy, I also work with people one-on-one. Here, I will offer supporting materials like audio meditations and other resources. A private-access repository that folks can use as they move along their own path is useful. That’s a different kind of content than a cultural riff or quick film take, and I’ve sought a platform that can hold all of it without forcing me to choose.
Which brings me to the practical question of “where.” Patreon had appeal but felt less oriented toward the publishing focus I wanted for the public-facing side. The other obvious option was out of the question—I need a site that isn’t owned by fascists or actively platforming them. I’d heard good things about Ghost, and even though this is entirely an experiment, it seemed worth trying.
So here we are. The hope is that this becomes something that arrives in your inbox because you want it there—not surrounded by provocative, ethically outrageous content engineered to benefit oligarchs and destabilize society. A small act of resistance, maybe. Or at least a quieter room.
We’ll see how it goes. Feel free to let me know what you think.