Welcome to Joe the Human!
My good friend Bob’s nickname for me was ‘Joe the human’. I liked it! And because I conducted Humanist ceremonies for many years, people often called me ‘the Humanist’. My interest is humanity and what it means to be human. And, of course, to err is human. Hence: Joe the human!
Dare to be you
People often hide their authentic selves. They might apologize for crying because their grief for a lost love one erupted in a conversation. Or someone may keep secret for decades that they were sexually abused as a child. And yet our hidden selves are often what most makes us human. Dare to be you!
My one and only life
This is our one and only life. Every life, including mine and yours, is important. By sharing our personal stuff, we’re universal. Know yourself. Be yourself.
Themes of this substack
I’m interested in journaling. Fact is stranger than fiction. I often don’t see the point in making up stuff because life is so fascinating.
My themes, in no particular order, are:
happiness, wisdom and love
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash thinking for ourselves
Photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash desire, sexuality, identity
Photo by Filipp Romanovski on Unsplash health and wellbeing
authenticity and daring to be yourself
gratitude, harmony and humour
Photo by Danilo Batista on Unsplash writing memoirs and songs
I’m fascinated by:
decision-making, procrastinating, acting
Photo by Vladislav Babienko on Unsplash trusting your doubt
rites of passage: birth, marriage and death
Photo by Marcus Loke on Unsplash
Memoir: Volume 1
My first memoir, In My Gut I Don’t Believe, is about my early life and nine years spent studying for the Roman Catholic priesthood in Ireland. I left just before ordination. It was the hardest decision of my life. And the making of me. I no longer believe in any deity and I am happy. My first memoir explores my struggles with faith and doubt, sexuality, identity, procrastination and decision-making. The review in The Irish Times ended: “Volume 2 please.” For reviews, click here. It is available in paperback, Kindle and audiobook (read by myself).
Memoir: Volume 2
My second memoir, Saved by a Woman, was published in November 2023. It shows what happened in my life in the six years after I took leave of absence from my priestly path. These are the first two books of the memoir series Losing Religion, Finding Myself. I am very proud of both my memoirs. I’ve written other books during my life, but these are the two that I would save if my house was burning down.
Join the conversation
I hope you will consider signing up to receive my substack. Each edition of the newsletter goes direct to your inbox. Or, if you’ve signed up and downloaded the substack app, you’ll be alerted when it arrives hot from the electronic press!
About me
I’m Joe Armstrong, a writer, author, memoirist, columnist, podcaster, poet, playwright, songwriter, journalist, documentary maker and human being. I’ve degrees in philosophy, theology, English and history. I’m a former columnist with The Irish Times. My RTE documentary From Belief to Unbelief was shortlisted for the New York Festivals World’s Best Radio Awards.
Email me: joearmstrong@substack.com
