Cultish Creative Weekly Recap (2/1/2025)

If I want to show people how to play more with their networks, of ideas, of people, and how they mix, match, and combine, I have to introduce them (eventually) to David Burkus.

Or, more specifically, I have to introduce the world AND Kit Huffman to David Burkus, because I found out just how bad I needed both to them explain to us how one individual can unite teams, keep it all from falling apart, and grow in a happy, healthy, and boundary-respecting way across a good life.

David and Kit did not disappoint. Up your networking game. And, be embarrassed you didn’t start in middle school (like Kit) while staying inspired you didn’t start when your wife pursued an advanced degree and you got bored (like David).

When I started in finance the first two books that captured my attention fully enough to make me really want to learn more were Reminiscences of a Stock Operator and Market Wizards.

It was my great (great, great) pleasure to get the opportunity to interview Market Wizards author Jack Schwager for our 300th (!!!) episode of Excess Returns this week. We talked his journey in writing, following the passion you’re (marketable as) the best at, and timeless wisdom from his still-running series of books on great trading entrepreneurs:

Also on Excess Returns this week, Jack Forehand and I took a look at great insights from Ed Yardeni. Ed’s another person I’ve learned a ton from over the years. Getting to review a composite of his wisdom in once place was a real treat.

Personal Archive entries you might have missed:

I can’t stop finding fresh connections between Miles Davis’ music and where he was in life as I’ve been re-reading his autobiography. Here’s my take on the link between “If I Were a Bell” from the Broadway Musical Guys and Dolls and the acceptance/embrace of his sobriety in the mid-50s.

Can you separate the art from the artist? Here’s a novel approach from Glen Weldon. I’m awarding myself bonus points for the song I used at the end of this too—knuckleheaded artists will not ruin my memories tied to their art before I knew they were knuckleheads.

Nick Cave is an international treasure. You have to see these quotes on his letter about the importance of humility and curiosity. Perfection.

Did you know who voiced Jaws’ roar? Spoiler: it was a cartoon character.

The word “priority” used to be exclusively singular for a good reason. It’s now, as any manager or leader will use it, very often plural, and I’m still searching for a good reason why we should keep it that way. Learning the history (h/t the David Burkus/Kit Huffman interview above) is a great story to bring to work.