Hi, I’m Rachel.
I write about connection, community, and the art of shaping a life — and place — you love.
A Little About Me
I’m a writer based in Iowa, endlessly fascinated by the idea of place — how where we are shapes how we live.
My background is at the intersection of local government, strategic communications, and placemaking — which means I think a lot about cities, the people in them, and what it takes for both to thrive.
I’m also the founder of Quartier Social Club, a creative brand about living well, right where you are.
At its heart, my work is about the everyday: how we connect, what we notice, and the meaning we make along the way.
Recent Writing
The Secret to a Better City? More Places to Sit.
When we create more inviting places to sit, we create more reasons for people to stay. → Read Article on Strong Towns
Designing a A Life You Love (Even When You Can’t Change Anything)
A reflection on shaping a meaningful life within real-world limits. → Read Essay on Substack
5 Ways Where You Live Shapes How You Live
How your surroundings influence your life (and how to make it work for you). → Read Blog Post on Quartier Social Club
Join My List
Twice a month, I share new writing along with a few things currently shaping how I see the world.