Playing With Networking (Weekly Recap 5/3/2025)

Let’s connect some dots from this week’s notes.

But first: Did you know you can now sign up for this weekly email ONLY? That’s right. If my dailies are clogging you’re inbox, I’ve got you. Open this email in your browser, then click > the profile icon in the top right > manage subscriptions > preferences (on the menu on the left) > select daily or weekly > and it will auto save! Click reply with any questions.

On to the recap…

The VCR Framework Every Creator Can Use: Matt Ackermann Returns To JUST PRESS RECORD

In his second appearance on Just Press Record, Matt Ackermann shares a powerful framework that can help anyone from nobodies to somebodies get their ideas out into the world. The VCR framework identifies three essential components that every creator needs: Vision (seeing a future others can't yet see), Capability (knowing how to create what others can't make), and Reach (having connections to delegate tasks or ask for help). The beauty of this approach is that you don't need to excel in all three areas, you simply need to identify your strengths, recognize where you need support, and find partners who complement your weaknesses. By understanding which elements of VCR you naturally possess and which you need to develop or outsource, you can transform good ideas into great ones, just as Matt has done by combining his capability and reach with vision providers like Josh Spector.

Quote from the (Personal) Archive: "Everyone - EVERYONE - has some combination of Vision, Capability, and Reach. Vision is a line of sight to a future you can see that others can't yet. Capability is the know how to do what needs to be done to create something others can't yet make. Reach is the idea of either delegating tasks to people in your network or tapping strangers you're some Kevin Bacon amount away from for help because you know they can help."

Sunday Music: The Tortoise's Path (An Essay For My Creative Friends)

In the fast paced world of creative success, this reflection examines the virtue of the "tortoise approach" to artistry through the lens of several interconnected stories involving musicians Doechii, Westside Gunn, and insights from Questlove and Mike Birbiglia. The post explores the tension between overnight fame and sustainable artistic development, contrasting Doechii's relatively rapid rise with Westside Gunn's decades long journey of building an authentic underground following. When Westside Gunn sampled Doechii mentioning him in an interview, creating a recursive loop of artistic appreciation, it sparked a meditation on creative longevity and the different paths artists can take. The tortoise path may not provide immediate validation, but it offers something potentially more valuable: the freedom to create on your own terms, cultivate the respect of those you respect, and develop work that maintains its integrity over time.

Quote from the (Personal) Archive: "Move at your own pace. Make art that matters to you. Cultivate the respect of those you respect. Let the external validation be a pleasant surprise rather than the destination. The tortoise's path is all about the pace and not burning out before the finish line."

Bonus shoutout to Justin Castelli who wrote a whole Personal Archive style reflection on this post here!

Character Lives in the Trying

Life is full of losses, but what defines our character isn't whether we succeed or fail, it's whether we keep trying. Inspired by a powerful quote from the TV show Friday Night Lights, this reflection explores how true character emerges through persistent effort rather than guaranteed victories. When we encounter people who spend more energy complaining about circumstances than attempting to improve them, we recognize a fundamental difference in approach to life's challenges. The people who make the deepest impact are those who refuse to stop trying across all domains, who pick themselves up after every setback and continue forward. This resilience in the face of inevitable failures doesn't just build personal character, it creates a ripple effect that influences others to embrace the struggle rather than surrender to it.

Quote from the (Personal) Archive: "Listen to me. I said you need to strive to be better than everyone else. I didn't say you needed to be better than everyone else. But you gotta try. That's what character is. It's in the try."

The Artist's Superpower Is Speaking Languages Others Don't

Learning any artistic medium, whether it's playing an instrument, painting, or cooking, grants us a profound superpower: the ability to communicate in languages that others don't speak. This post explores how artistic thinking liberates us beyond conventional communication, enabling us to bridge gaps when encountering unfamiliar languages or concepts. When we learn an art form, we're not just acquiring a skill; we're developing a new mode of expression that transcends the limitations of spoken language. This alternative framework for processing and conveying information gives artists a unique advantage in adapting to new situations, understanding different perspectives, and connecting with others across cultural and linguistic barriers. The post encourages readers to recognize and celebrate all the creative "languages" they've acquired throughout their lives, no matter how casual or formal the learning process may have been.

Quote from the (Personal) Archive: "You know how, at least a little bit, to say something in a language others don't speak. Which means any time you're around others speaking a language you don't speak, you have an edge on bridging the gap and finding a way to communicate faster. You can learn another language, you can pick up on other modes of communication, you can get down to action faster than people who have never learned to think or operate this way."

Grow Your Network: Matt Ackermann Is A Brand Storyteller

Matt Ackermann, Chief Brand Officer at Integrated Partners, is revolutionizing financial services with fresh storytelling approaches that help brands break free from the "muddy middle" of blues, grays, and lighthouse logos. His background in journalism gives him a unique perspective on crafting memorable brand narratives that stand out in a crowded marketplace. By approaching storytelling from both directions, grabbing attention at the start and creating resolution at the end, Matt shows how connecting seemingly unrelated dots can transform ordinary messaging into extraordinary experiences that resonate deeply with specific audiences. His insights on knowing your audience, finding your unique voice, and giving yourself time for perspective offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to make their personal or professional brand more distinctive.

Quote from the (Personal) Archive: (this is Matt Ackermann’s quote) "I kind of start from both directions. Top down, bottom up. You want to start from the top down and think about it from this way: what is gonna grab your attention? The headline's gonna grab your attention. What's gonna make people want to lean in? [Then,] Bottom up, you wanna say, what result am I looking for at the end of the day? And then you kind of gotta work those things to find the middle."

Grow Your Network: Brent Kochuba Is A Market Flow Master

Brent Kochuba, founder of Spot Gamma, transformed personal adversity into opportunity when he launched his business analyzing options flow after his hedge fund collapsed during the COVID pandemic. His journey from network administrator to financial analyst demonstrates the power of staying connected to what genuinely fascinates you through career transitions. Brent's ability to recognize shifting market dynamics before institutions acknowledged them allowed him to develop models that now help traders understand hidden market drivers. By democratizing complex market data that was previously only visible to insiders, he's created both a thriving business and a more transparent trading environment. His story offers powerful lessons about developing independent perspectives on emerging trends, maintaining proximity to what energizes you during career pivots, and creating value by sharing insights that others might keep private.

Quote from the (Personal) Archive: (this is one of Brent’s quotes I featured in the post)"I had built all of these models like dealer gamma models... I was only trading S&P index options through that entire period... I saw day in and day out exactly how this moved. You know, big pockets of open interest would control things... I had posted some of my internal models with Gamma Curves and people were like, 'if you could give this to me every day, I would pay you.' And I was like, alright, I'll try it out... and that was the start of the Spot Gamma."

Where Else I Showed Up This Week

Me, Nadig and Buck released a brand new episode of Click Beta! So much fun talking about so much heavy stuff with people who can agree, disagree, and laugh with you:

My buddy Bogumil and I broke down clips from our separate Guy Spier interviews. Great for long-term perspective in very short-term minded times:

And, one more for my markets people, Jack and I had Jared Dillian on for an update on how he’s seeing the world these days. As always, Jared has TAKES:

Personal Archive Prompts (for you):

• Which element of the VCR framework (Vision, Capability, or Reach) is your strongest, and which needs most development?

• Are you taking the hare's path or the tortoise's path in your creative work, and is that serving your long-term goals?

• When was the last time you kept trying despite failure, and how did that experience shape your character?

• What creative "languages" have you learned throughout your life, and how might they help you bridge communication gaps?

• How might you apply Matt Ackermann's top-down/bottom-up storytelling approach to a message you're currently trying to communicate?

• What emerging trend do you recognize that institutions in your field haven't acknowledged yet?

As always, I did my part, now it's your turn to write some reflections in your own Personal Archive.

(then, be sure to let me know where you're keeping it, I'm in search of the others - like Justin mentioned above - too)