Welcome to Moonshot Press
“The primary purpose of journalism is to provide citizens with the information they need to be free and self-governing.”
The Elements of Journalism, Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel
Moonshot Press is dedicated to reimagining the role of media in democracy. As an independent, non-partisan, subscriber-supported initiative on Substack, we go beyond traditional news reporting by combining in-depth journalism, citizen-empowerment tools, and community-driven initiatives. Through this innovative approach, we aim to address the pressing challenges facing our society and inspire meaningful civic engagement.
Serving as the publication component of Project 2026, Moonshot Press grounds its work in the radical promise of the Declaration of Independence—that all people are created equal and endowed with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Our goal is not merely to inform, but to empower readers, creating a platform for insightful discussion, impactful action, and innovative solutions to the complex issues of our time.
This article will introduce you to Moonshot Press’s core mission and showcase the array of initiatives, tools, and community efforts we’ve developed to help citizens shape a more equitable, resilient democracy. Join us in transforming the way we engage with democracy—together, we can aim higher, act bolder, and build a future that lives up to our founding ideals.
Listen to podcast explaining Moonshot Press. Generated with NotebookLM (16 Minutes)
Introduction
At Moonshot Press, our mission is both simple and profound: to contribute meaningfully toward the realization of the radical promise articulated in the Declaration of Independence—that all people are created equal, with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As we approach the 250th anniversary of this bold experiment in democracy, we are energized by both the challenges and the opportunities of our time.
In 2025, humanity stands at a critical juncture. Geopolitical tensions, environmental crises, social polarization, and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence present profound risks to democratic life. Yet, these challenges also open the door to unprecedented opportunities for progress. Moonshot Press is committed to shaping a future conversation that maximizes the next generation’s chance to thrive in a world aligned with the radical promise of the Declaration. The alternative—a dystopian world where these challenges go unaddressed—is one we cannot accept.
Why Moonshot Press?
A free press is the cornerstone of any democracy, charged with informing the public, holding power accountable, and fostering civic engagement. Yet, the past decade has exposed significant shortcomings in our current media landscape, which often prioritizes sensationalism over substance. At this pivotal moment, we believe the media must do better.
Moonshot Press seeks to reimagine the role of media in democracy. We are an independent, non-partisan, subscriber-supported initiative rooted in the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. Our goal is not just to inform but to empower, creating a space for informed discussion, meaningful action, and innovative solutions to the complex issues of our time.
Our Vision
Moonshot Press envisions a world where democracy is continually revitalized by active citizen participation. We see this as the foundation of a society where every individual, regardless of background, has the opportunity to flourish. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, we aim to build a healthier, more inclusive, and resilient democracy.
What Makes Moonshot Press Unique?
We are inspired by the ideals of the Democracy. Opportunity. Citizenship. Moonshot, a vision of an inclusive society where every person has the tools and opportunities to thrive. Moonshot Press is your launchpad for engaging with this vision and shaping the future.
At the heart of our approach is the conviction that citizens are sovereign, and the press has a vital role in engaging and empowering them. Through innovative media strategies, practical tools, and dynamic platforms, we aim to inspire collective action and provide resources for informed participation.
Why Now?
As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, it’s time to reflect on the principles that founded our nation and ask how we can renew them for the future. The urgency of this moment demands a media platform that transcends division and delivers actionable content, helping citizens cut through the noise and take meaningful steps to shape their communities.
Moonshot Press is not just about reporting the news—it’s about equipping citizens with the insights, tools, and inspiration they need to make a difference.
Deepening Citizen Engagement
Citizen engagement is at the core of our mission. We provide tools and resources to help you actively participate in shaping your community and your nation. From interactive forums and deliberative discussions to collaborative initiatives, Moonshot Press supports your journey toward informed, meaningful participation.
Our goal is simple: to help build a future where the principles of the Declaration of Independence—equality, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—are more than ideals. They are a lived reality for all.
Join us in this Moonshot for democracy. Let’s aim high, act boldly, and create a future worthy of the vision that inspired our nation’s founding.
Moonshot Press’ Five Key Areas of Focus
Our work is organized around five interconnected focus areas, each essential to fostering a thriving democratic society:
1. Democracy: Challenges and Opportunities
Reimagining what it means for every citizen to thrive by addressing political polarization, economic inequality, and eroding public trust. We explore ways to protect and expand democratic participation, fostering resilience and empowering citizens to engage meaningfully in the political process.
2. Community: Building Stronger Communities through Collective Action
Strong communities are the backbone of a healthy democracy. We examine how social, economic, and environmental factors shape community well-being, highlighting collective action as a tool for resilience and equity.
3. Health: Enhancing Health and Wellbeing
Health is foundational to both individual and societal flourishing. We advocate for a healthcare system that prioritizes well-being through the salutogenic approach—focusing on prevention, health creation, and equitable access for all.
4. Technology: Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sphere
AI is reshaping society, and its impact on democracy cannot be ignored. We explore AI’s potential to enhance or threaten democratic values, advocating for thoughtful dialogue, ethical practices, and equitable innovation.
5. Media: Exploring the Media’s Role in Democracy
Media plays a critical role in informing citizens and fostering public discourse. We model credible, responsible journalism and advocate for media practices that prioritize truth, transparency, and accountability in the age of AI and misinformation.
Our Theory of Change
How We Are Planning to Achieve our Vision
Moonshot Press is the publication of Project 2026. Both are motivated by and their approach rests on the belief that democracy flourishes when citizens are informed and exercise genuine sovereignty. The project builds on the “first principles” of the Declaration of Independence—equality, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—and applies them to our modern context.
Project 2026 Key Initiatives of Moonshot Press
Moonshot Press translates Project 2026 vision into action through targeted initiatives that address critical issues. These initiatives exemplify our commitment to fostering a thriving democracy and empowering citizens to make meaningful change.
This initiative focuses on the foundations of human flourishing, from preconception through a child’s second birthday. By adopting a salutogenic approach, we aim to create environments that promote maternal and infant well-being, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive from the very start.
The COVID-19 Citizen Commission
A citizen-oriented initiative examining the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this project highlights the need for community-driven responses to public health crises. It explores lessons learned and actionable steps for creating more resilient health systems and societies.
The Case of the U.S. Healthcare System
This initiative reimagines healthcare by shifting the focus from treating illness to promoting overall health. Through various formats, Moonshot Press delves into the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system, empowering citizens to better understand their role as individuals, consumers, and advocates.
The Case of Cancer of the US Political System: Using the metaphor of cancer to diagnose and address systemic dysfunctions in the American political system, this initiative parallels biological cancer's unchecked growth with issues like polarization, corruption, and erosion of trust.
The 2026 Election: Five Critical Issues
As we approach the 2026 midterm elections, many Americans feel disillusioned by partisan media cycles and uncertain about where to start. Yet, this election presents a pivotal opportunity to refocus national conversations on the issues that will define our future.
Moonshot Press has a hyperlocal focus
Our inaugural initiative, Thrive in Montco PA, puts our principles into action at the community level. This hyperlocal project serves as a testing ground for our broader mission, demonstrating how deeply engaged citizens can create meaningful change. By focusing on Montgomery County, PA, we explore how local initiatives can inspire national progress.
Shrink Notes: Shrink the Government
This psychologically informed citizen journal addresses timely issues at the intersection of health, democracy, media, technology, and community. By applying psychological insights, this initiative offers unique perspectives on challenges facing society today.
The Institute for Salutogenesis
Dedicated to exploring the principles of salutogenesis, this initiative emphasizes holistic health creation as a framework for maternal and infant well-being. The Institute focuses on fostering environments that promote health and well-being, with the ultimate goal of creating healthier, more resilient communities.
How We Empower You
At Moonshot Press, we provide tools and resources that empower you to make an impact:
The Citizen Toolbox: Practical resources for real-world civic engagement.
Deliberative Forums: Interactive spaces where citizens, experts, and policymakers collaborate on pressing issues.
Citizen Briefs:: In-depth articles and podcasts that break down complex topics and spark informed discussions.
Through these platforms, we amplify your voice, hold leaders accountable, and help you build a brighter future for your community and our democracy.
Learn more about our thinking about citizen empowerment: A Republic, If You Can Keep It
Join the Movement
Moonshot Press isn’t just about providing news—it’s about building a better democracy. By subscribing, you become part of a community dedicated to fostering informed action and systemic change.
Ready to make an impact? Subscribe today and step into your role as an empowered citizen. Together, let’s shape a thriving, inclusive democracy.
Don't just watch democracy happen—shape it with Moonshot Press.
Want to dive deeper? Learn more about our core principles, strategies, and platforms and start making a tangible impact today.
As we near the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it’s time to renew our promise to the founding ideals of equality, liberty, and opportunity. Moonshot Press is your call to action—a movement for everyone who believes in strengthening democracy and making it work for all.
About the name Moonshot Press
Introduction: A New Kind of Launch
The term "moonshot" evokes a powerful image: a bold, audacious goal, seemingly impossible, yet achieved through vision, dedication, and collective effort. It conjures the Apollo program, a national commitment to a very complex undertaking that led to Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong's historic steps on the lunar surface and a safe return to Earth. This achievement symbolizes the pursuit of bold, transformative goals and the commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
At Moonshot Press, we believe the American experiment itself began as a moonshot. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence wasn't just a document; it was a radical declaration of a new way of thinking about governance, a bold assertion of inalienable rights and popular sovereignty. It was a vision as audacious as reaching the moon, a challenge to the established order of the world. The founders, like the engineers of NASA, dared to dream of something that had never existed before: a nation built on the principles of individual liberty and self-determination.
The Constitution, with its intricate mechanisms of checks and balances and its commitment to the rule of law, served as the roadmap for this ambitious endeavor, much like the meticulously planned missions that guided Apollo astronauts. It laid the foundation for an ongoing experiment, one that continues to evolve and challenge us nearly 250 years later.
However, today, this experiment faces significant challenges. We launch Moonshot Press into a polarized American public, where faith in government has eroded, fellow citizens are often viewed as adversaries, and the system itself is perceived as rigged. Too many have been excluded from full participation in the national enterprise, denied a voice and marginalized. An information environment shaped by media and social media often exacerbates this toxic environment, promoting conflict and divisiveness.
Moonshot Press is guided by the original moonshot of the founders and recognizes the essential role of human agency in addressing these challenges. We are committed to engaging with the American experiment in all its complexities and contradictions. We seek to explore the ongoing pursuit of those ideals enshrined in the Declaration, to examine the successes and failures, the triumphs and setbacks, of this grand and still unfolding endeavor. We aim to be a catalyst for significant, positive change, leveraging media and community engagement as powerful tools for enlightening, empowering, and mobilizing citizens towards creating a more informed, engaged, and equitable society. Like the original moonshot projects that inspired awe and brought humanity together to achieve the extraordinary, we strive to foster informed discourse, amplify diverse voices, and contribute to a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of this continuing quest for a more perfect union.
We believe the spirit of the moonshot—the courage to dream big, the commitment to work tirelessly, and the belief in the possibility of a better future—is as vital today as it was in 1776 and in the 1960s. Join us as we explore the next chapter of this extraordinary journey.
Core Principles of Moonshot Press
Moonshot Press is dedicated to fostering a more informed, equitable, and participatory society by upholding the core principles that underpin American democracy and responsible journalism. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, these principles guide our work and shape our commitment to creating lasting, measurable change.
Upholding Foundational Democratic Principles: At the heart of our work is a commitment to the core tenets of American democracy: the inherent equality of all individuals and their unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; citizen sovereignty, where ultimate power rests with informed, active citizens; and the pursuit of a more perfect union through active civic engagement. This includes promoting civic engagement, protecting free speech, upholding democratic values, and ensuring that citizens have the opportunity to shape their government and society.
Empowering Informed Citizens: A well-informed public is the bedrock of a healthy democracy. We empower citizens by providing them with the knowledge, tools, and platforms to make informed decisions and take meaningful action. This includes public education and awareness initiatives that demystify complex topics and fostering deliberative engagement through meaningful dialogue among citizens, experts, and policymakers.
Ethical, Solutions-Oriented Journalism: We believe that a free press is essential to a functioning democracy. We adhere to the highest standards of journalistic integrity, prioritizing accuracy, fairness, and accountability. We are committed to responsible journalism that serves the public interest, holds power accountable, amplifies diverse voices, and moves beyond sensationalism to offer constructive dialogue and solutions-oriented reporting. This includes research and investigative reporting, which delves deeply into societal issues using interdisciplinary methods.
Embracing Complexity and Nuance for Effective Action: Recognizing that societal issues are often multifaceted, we engage with complexity honestly and thoughtfully. We provide well-rounded perspectives that respect the nuances of each issue to develop effective, evidence-based solutions. We focus on solutions, not slogans, and prioritize tangible actions that address pressing social, political, and health-related issues.
Promoting Equity and Ethical Standards through Advocacy: We are committed to promoting equity and social justice through policy advocacy rooted in ethical principles. We work to influence the development and enforcement of guidelines that ensure technology and policy support, rather than undermine, social equity and responsible innovation.
Local Focus, Global Impact: We prioritize local engagement as a crucial testing ground for our ideas and approaches. By deeply understanding the realities and needs of local communities, we can develop and refine effective strategies that can then be scaled to address broader national and global challenges. This localized approach allows us to make a tangible impact while fostering a sense of interconnectedness and shared purpose within and across communities.
