Welcome to Thinking Through It

A weekly publication written by me, Alejandro Betancourt.

This is where I write to understand, not to perform, not to preach.

Not quickly. Not reactively.

Slowly. On purpose.

I write about belief systems, mindset, and conscious living, the internal architecture of a life that’s been questioned, broken, and rebuilt more than once.

Where This Comes From

For nearly four years, this space was called Beyond Two Cents, born from a desire to offer something more thoughtful than a hot take. But eventually, the name no longer fit.

I wasn’t handing out conclusions.

I was sitting in the questions.

That’s where Thinking Through It comes from.

Not a brand. Not a performance. Not a playbook.

A practice.

A refusal to rush into certainty.

An invitation to think more carefully about how we act, what we believe, and how we become who we are, or want to be.

Why I Write This

I grew up in extraordinary privilege. My father was one of the most successful businessmen in the country. From the outside, my path looked like a straight line toward more of the same.

And for a while, it was.

I built ventures. I invested. I succeeded.

But life has a way of reshaping us.

At 12, I was kidnapped.
Decades later, I was betrayed by someone I trusted deeply, a mentor I once believed in. The unraveling that followed shook everything. I lost more than business. I lost identity, trust, and for a time, direction.

I walked away from religion in a culture where that’s not done quietly.
I became a single dad by choice.
I’ve had my name questioned for things I didn’t do, and kept going anyway.

Thinking Through It comes from that place.
Not from clarity at the top of the mountain, but from the quiet work of rebuilding in the valley.

What to Expect

• Weekly essays (usually on Mondays)

• Deep, reflective writing — personal, philosophical, and honest

• Topics like belief shifts, emotional honesty, parenting, vulnerability, identity, and mindset

• Book recommendations and the occasional serialized project (like Versions of Me)

If Any of These Sound Like You...

• You rewrite a text five times before sending it

• You sit with a thought for a week before saying it aloud

• You’re suspicious of quick fixes, but believe in slow transformation

• You’re trying to live with more intention, even if you’re not always sure how

• You’re done pretending you’ve figured it all out, but still want to figure something out

Then you're in the right place.

Why Subscribe

• You'll get new essays delivered weekly.

• You'll think more slowly, more clearly, and maybe more bravely.

• You’ll witness someone working through complexity, not with certainty, but with care.

Want to Support This Work?

If Thinking Through It resonates, consider becoming a paid subscriber.
You won’t get exclusive hacks or behind-the-scenes extras.

But you will help keep this practice alive, and rooted in integrity, honesty, and the belief that writing can be a form of service.

Even when it’s messy.
Especially then.

Let’s Stay Connected

Want to collaborate, share something, or just say hello?
Reach me via Substack’s inbox or at hello@alejandrobetancourt.com
Learn more at www.alejandrobetancourt.com

The content published on Thinking Through It is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

For full terms, see our Terms of Service.