The "First Principled" Founder
Real talk for founders and business rebels. No BS, no safe spaces—just raw lessons, tough love, and what actually works in for owners and founders. If you’re afraid of honest feedback, keep scrolling. If you’re ready to hunt for real content, subscribe.
| Platform |  | Pricing | Freemium | Publishes | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 44 | Founded | a year ago | Last Issue | 3 days ago |
| Active | |||||
Read this Newsletter
rickcranston.substack.comLatest Issues
Shadow AI Isn’t a Tech Problem.
This might actually make some of you angry, but I think it’s important enough to risk it.
I’m a country boy from South Dakota, so my default is to keep things simple and sometimes a little too blunt.
Too many people are letting AI do the...
Remember Emma, the Credit Union CEO? This Is How the AI Wild West Shows Up
Most businesses right now have a bit of a “wild west” AI environment.
Agents are being deployed across teams—lending, fraud, member service, marketing—often with good intent and real productivity gains.
But not always with clear ow...
AI Governance with Consequences
AI is now part of how we work and how we write. If you are using tools like Copilot, Gemini, Perplexity, or any other frontier model, you are already letting AI touch your ideas, your workflows, or your decisions.
Most people stop t...
How to Use AI Without Losing Your Voice
AI is here. It’s not going away. So now what?
If You Won’t Yell It in a Coffee Shop, Maybe you Should Consider Not Pasting It Into AI
Your favorite AI isn’t just fixing your writing—it’s also collecting your data, your clients’ data, and maybe even your biggest secrets.
Today, I’m writing about AI and that’s not much different than what I usually write about. But this is...
Key Facts
Audience Metrics
Subscribers, engagement, traffic and sponsorship for The "First Principled" Founder.
| Subscribers | Engagement | 66 | Monthly Web Visits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accepts Sponsors | Estimated Cost per Ad | ||||
Explore More
Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
50 years battling to make amazing business happen with relentless first principles and entrepreneurial instinct. Farmer, rancher, fintech disruptor, serial entrepreneur, and non-profit leader driving brutal clarity, execution, and lasting innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I access the email archive for The "First Principled" Founder?
You can find recent issues that have been published by The "First Principled" Founder on Reletter by scrolling up to where it says Latest Issues. Tap on the link for any of the most recent emails or hit More Issues to see older ones.
How many subscribers does The "First Principled" Founder have?
To see how many people subscribe to The "First Principled" Founder, simply upgrade your Reletter account. We provide readership numbers and lots of other stats for this newsletter so you can decide if it's worth reaching out to.
How can I advertise in The "First Principled" Founder?
Newsletter advertising can be extremely effective when it's done right. Before you pitch The "First Principled" Founder as a potential sponsor or partner, make sure that you've done your research and checked its newsletter stats with Reletter.
Then, personalize one of our winning pitching templates and send it to the right person using the contact info provided.
How much does it cost to sponsor a publication like The "First Principled" Founder?
Newsletter ad rates (or CPM) vary depending on many factors, including industry, number of subscribers, open rate, ad placement and more.
To find out how much an ad will cost, contact The "First Principled" Founder using the contact information provided and ask for a copy of their media kit.
How can I find newsletters related to The "First Principled" Founder?
Scroll up to where it says Related Newsletters to see other publications like The "First Principled" Founder. You can also search our email newsletter directory to discover other newsletters that cover the topics you're interested in.
How do I contact The "First Principled" Founder?
Reletter provides this newsletter's website URL above, where you will often find their contact information. We also provide links to associated social media accounts and pitching templates so you can reach out fast.