This is the first episode of The Alignment Show for 2026, and it’s a solo one.
I wanted to start the year by speaking honestly about why consistency broke down over the past year, what that cost, and what it’s taken to begin rebuilding. This isn’t an episode about productivity hacks or polished plans. It’s about grief, caregiving, creative identity, and what it means to keep choosing alignment when control turns out to be mostly an illusion.
In this episode, I talk about why I shifted the show to an audio-first rhythm, how I’m rethinking what support really means on Substack, and why writing has to remain central for me, even when everything else slows down. If you’ve ever had a season where “just showing up” felt like the only honest win, this conversation is for you.
We really are all about community here. Thanks for showing up.
Because of the nature of this episode, we didn’t mention sponsors in the audio. But if you would like to support the show, check out these resources.
* My books can all be found at DonnKing.com/Books. You might want to bookmark that, since I have several in process. The latest published one is Creating While Caring, and soon there will be a companion book of devotionals for caregivers. Yet another book in that grouping is also in process, a reflective nonfiction book about formation, constraint, and the limits of control.
* I’m considering helping to start an online support group specifically for creative people who find themselves now in a caregiving role. Your response will help me decide whether to pursue that or not. Go to DonnKing.com/CreatingCareCommunity.
* We would really appreciate it if you would share this episode and this publication with your friends. Find everything about The Alignment Show and the regular supportive content we provide at King’s Chronicles on Substack.
Remember that we have moved our home over to our new site at TheAlignmentShow.com. We encourage you to subscribe there!
If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!
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* The “Big Takeaway”
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* Practical tips from the episode
* A quote to ponder
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That’s our way for saying “thanks for the support!”
Note: if you accidentally subscribe on ConfidenceCultivators.com (which used to host the show), I will comp you the equivalent subscription on King’s Chronicles, the new home of The Alignment Show.
