Malcolm Gladwell casually dropped a reference to the time he exclusively listened to Sturgill Simpson’s Metamodern Sounds in Country Music during his interview with Rick Rubin. You probably already know I’m a big fan of Gladwell and Simpson (click those links if you didn’t). I love(d) that record and have been down the rabbit hole … Continue reading Sunday Music: Living The Dream (Sturgill Simpson)
Podcast Of The Week: My Favorite Podcast From 2022 (Todd Boehly On Capital Allocators)
Who waits until February to put up a year-end recommendation? Cultish Creative. Todd Boehly took over Chelsea (my football/soccer club of choice)* in mid-2022. The club was being auctioned off after the previously Russian owners were being extracted from the modern world post-Ukrainian invasion. I knew next to nothing about him except he was an … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: My Favorite Podcast From 2022 (Todd Boehly On Capital Allocators)
President Lyndon Johnson’s 10-Point Success Formula
President Lyndon Johnson wrote this list down long before he became President. It’s a hell of a set of principles. Learn to remember names. Inefficiency at this point may indicate that your interest is not sufficiently outgoing. Be a comfortable person so there is no strain in being with you. Be an old-shoe, old-hat kind … Continue reading President Lyndon Johnson’s 10-Point Success Formula
We Shape Our Habits, Then Our Habits Shape Us
As the New Year’s resolutions fade (no, not yours - those other less committed people), here’s a reminder of how what we do is who we are. Aka, our habits shape us. And so do our physical and emotional surroundings. “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” - Winston Churchill If you find yourself … Continue reading We Shape Our Habits, Then Our Habits Shape Us
The Beatles Vs. The Beach Boys (Creative Competition)
It wasn’t a battle, but it was inspired reaction. The Beatles make Rubber Soul. Brian Wilson loves the record, and next thing you know The Beach Boys release Pet Sounds. Paul Mccartney hears “God Only Knows” and is inspired to make Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Contemporaries competing by turning each successive turn into … Continue reading The Beatles Vs. The Beach Boys (Creative Competition)
Friendly Competition (The Mahomes/Cheatham Story)
They both had cannons, and Moore took note of the skills and footwork they had accumulated from playing other sports. There's a good chance no field in America had two better seventh-grade throwers than what Moore was looking at. Resistance makes us stronger. And it doesn’t always have to be evil resistance. Patrick Mahomes, one … Continue reading Friendly Competition (The Mahomes/Cheatham Story)
Proofreading Tips From Frank Sinatra
I’m pretty sure they taught us in middle school to read our papers/essays/etc. out loud to help with proofreading. I’ve been working on my read-it-out-loud-but-mostly-in-your-head voice ever since. The rhythm, tone, and inflection all matter. Speaking the words, helps you… feel it. If you need some inspiration, look no further than Frank Sinatra’s “Medley: The … Continue reading Proofreading Tips From Frank Sinatra
Sunday Music: Busta Re-Lights The Fuse
Busta Rhymes’ voice is an instrument. I don’t know if after Extinction Level Event 2 he remembered how much fun he could have, but he’s back with a new EP, The Fuse Is Lit, and it’s great. He’s experimenting (whatever “Bulletproof Skin” is), crossing generations (“Slap” with Big Daddy Kane and Conway over a classic … Continue reading Sunday Music: Busta Re-Lights The Fuse
Podcast Of The Week: Pressfield And Altucher (Writing For A Living)
Steven Pressfield has been on the James Altucher podcast multiple times. After reading Pressfield's new book, Govt Cheese, and catching his most recent appearance discussing the book with Altucher, I want to give a plug for these two recent accomplishments and revisiting older episodes. Pressfield’s already an inspiration to a lot of us. But hearing … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Pressfield And Altucher (Writing For A Living)
Mind Food
If you want to be healthier, you pay attention to the food you’re eating. If you want to think better, you pay attention to what information you’re taking in. What you’re scrolling. Who you’re listening to. How you’re talking to yourself. Mmm mind food. h/t The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwarts, Ph.D.