Welcome to On Fire.
I’m Krista, and I’m obsessed with what makes us come alive.
Not in a vague, inspirational-poster way — I mean the actual mechanics of passion: the pursuit of something that lights us up. What sustains passion over decades? How do people navigate the inevitable dips? Why do some pursuits stick while others fade?
For the past few years, I’ve been investigating these questions by interviewing some of the world’s most passionate people — circus artists, bean entrepreneurs, mythologists, pickleball legends — and talking to the researchers studying what makes us come alive.
(I’m also pretty passionate myself: my current testing grounds are jiu-jitsu, handstands, books, and the craft of writing.)
On Fire is where I share what I’m learning.
What to Expect
Weekly(ish) essays in various formats:
Field Notes: Longer, in-depth articles exploring a specific angle of passion, blending science, story, and reflection.
Dispatches: Short, personal pieces written in a state of inspiration — the ideas I just can’t help but write down immediately, usually mid-workout or right before bed when I should definitely be sleeping.
Conversations: Interviews with the scientists and philosophers who study this stuff — as well as athletes, artists, and creators of all types who have a deep, specific passion. The kind of people who light up when you ask them about their thing.
On Fire, Lately: A monthly roundup of things I’m currently obsessed with, sent the last Sunday of every month. Fair warning: it’s likely to include books, jiu-jitsu, and handstands.
New Here?
👉 Start with How I Stopped Living on Autopilot — it's the origin story of On Fire and a guide to navigating the archive.
Some other recent reader favorites:
Join the Mission
Whether you’re navigating a grayscale phase of life, protecting space for a hobby you love, or currently deep in an obsession you want to understand better — welcome! I’m so glad you’re here.
Everything here is free (for now) because I believe everyone deserves access to these ideas — whether you’re searching for a spark or keeping one alive.
In the coming months, I’ll introduce passion guides, tools, and experiments for paid subscribers. (I’m VERY excited about these!) By becoming a paid supporter, you’re not just funding the research — you’re supporting a mission to create a world that feels more alive.
(And thank you — your support is the fuel that keeps this work burning.)
With fire,
-Krista
