
About Lisanne
About Lisanne Swart
Hi, I'm Lisanne.
I’m a writer, blogger, and the founder of The Hotpot — an editorial project that curates solution-based climate articles with lasting value from the best journalists and experts in the field. As a freelance writer, I also publish original reporting on climate problems and their solutions. For past publications browse through this archive of articles. If you’d like to hire me for an publication, please reach out.
I’m also the publisher of the Decoded. On April 1, 2022, the very first edition of The Weekly went out to just a handful of early subscribers. Today, it has grown to become a newsletter enjoyed by readers in over 15 countries around the world. It remains, however, a one-woman labour of love, written, created, and cared for by me.
This platform initially launched in the winter of 2020 to share my favorite books with interesting people other than my friends and family. By now the bookshelf includes 25 thought-provoking book recommendations, which are brought to you to discover and to spark a meaningful conversation. Along the way, this blog has become my diary. My personal journey into what matters in the world and why. On this platform, you’ll also find me writing and speaking about the people I meet, the books I’m reading, and what I’m learning. This platform aims to bring people together, showcase my work, and keep you tuned. I hope you join the conversation.

About The Decoded Newsletter
What readers are saying about The Decoded:
“In a world where internet gurus tell us how to make our life better, Lisanne does the opposite — she gently provides food for thought.” – Sarah
“The Weekly´s are honest, thoughtful and soul-searching. On the other hand they are short, simple, and easy to digest, which is a rare combination I haven´t found anywhere else.” – Anonymous
“I´m looking forward for these pieces of wisdom every week. Thank you for the time and effort you put into this.” – Blandine, UK.
You can sign up below, or read a previously sent weekly to learn more:
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About The Hotpot
What readers are saying about The Hotpot
It’s time for
Meaningful conversations
I grew up watching women from all across the country sharing their personal stories at The Oprah Winfrey Show. I also spent a good amount of time watching CNN with Christiana Amanpour asking direct questions to controversial world leaders. I loved author James Baldwin always speaking truth to power, and Louis Theroux from the BBC during Weird Weekends. I’ve been greatly inspired by them and many others, but especially by the way television can be used as a medium to transform lives.
It’s very refreshing and inspiring that an extremely powerful medium like that can be used in such a way that it can touch lives, inform us about something we didn’t know yet, or remind us that we might be more connected to one another than we might think sometimes. I believe great stories are powerful, and can inspire people to think and act differently.
Since the beginning of this online publication I’ve been dedicated to maintain this place advertisement-free – making it a platform solely focused on quality stories and readers’ support. The relationship between a writer and reader should, in my opinion, be personal and real. Ads intervene in that dialogue and disturb – as you will, the authenticity it needs and deserves.
Therefore, I like The Weekly and this platform in general, to be a destination for people to share stories and ideas that matter. I’m a passionate voice for my community, and as the world keeps getting faster, there’s actually a shortage of thoughtful, timeless stories and ideas that are worth sharing an hour or even a week later. While the web can be a crowded place of anonymity, clicks, self-exposure and sometimes bullying, it can also be a destination of unity, real conversations and bringing people together.
Areas of interest
Pushing the conversation forward.
This site features my writings on books, and ideas from the arts, philanthropy, culture, and other subjects. Many of the artists, writers, painters or other storytellers that came before us has done incredible work. Work that can tell us something about where we come from, how we end up here, and guide the way forward. I’m dedicated to create original, quality content that really connects with people, that amplifies important voices and stays relevant over time.
01
The Hotpot
02
The Decoded
03
The Writer’s Journey
04
Books
My projects
Here’s a short list of some of the things I’ve been working on lately.
2020 – My blog went live.
2020 – Sharing books I loved reading.
2021 – Introduction of the monthly newsletter.
2021 – Newly designed website.
2022, April – Launch of the Weekly Newsletter
2022, May – Partnering with Medium
2022, June – Published Personal Reading Lists to share my favourite books on specific topics like psychology, lying, or interesting memoires.
2022, August – The Curated Directory to celebrate women-led businesses across the globe. A collection of both big and small companies in the arts & entertainment industry and non-profit.
Further Reading
More
About the Platform in Facts
Owner of lisanneswart.com:
- More than 120.000 visitors per year to lisanneswart.com.
- Over 120 published articles.
Writer of the popular The Decoded newsletter:
- Over 350 email subscribers.
- Open Rate: 42%.
- Explore the full archive of The Decoded.
Curator of The Hotpot
- Over 100+ early subscribers.
- Explore the Full archive of previous The Hotpot editions.

Further Reading
More
About Me.
For more about me – the human behind this platform, you can find out what´s on my mind in my latest publications for the Weekly Newsletter. I divide my time between Amsterdam and other, different places, but I always find time to answer questions from readers. In the Ask me Anything section I share more about what readers like to know about me and my work. I also finish every year with a Year in Review, where you can find my annual reflections on writing, creativity and business. If you’re also interested in the books I’ve read and find worth reading, you can check out my Bookshelf. In the book reviews I continue to share more in depth about my favourite books and why they were so meaningful and insightful to me. Those book reviews are going to be published on Medium soon.

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