From time to time, instead of my usual email with one big idea you can read in 3 minutes or less, I share with you the best of what I’m reading, watching, and exploring. Enjoy!
Books
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. One of the best books on creativity that I’ve read since Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic. This book isn’t just a read; it’s an experience that dances between philosophy and the real-life magic of making art. It’s like Rick Rubin—the cool uncle of creativity—is right there, nudging you to break free and unleash the artist within.
Films
Poor Things. (Hulu | Amazon Prime) A cinematic feast that made me crave a rewatch right after the movie ended. It’s whimsical and dark and quirky and everything else in between. Emma Stone’s performance is nothing short of legendary.
The Zone of Interest. (Amazon Prime | Apple TV+) This film is about the commandant of Auschwitz and his family creating their dream life in a house on the edge of Hell. It illustrates the banality of evil in a way better than any other film I’ve seen. A masterpiece.
All of Us Strangers. (Hulu | Amazon Prime) Beautiful and shattering all at once. This review from one movie-goer sums it up well: “I am a closeted gay man, and I will lose my parents next year when I come out to them. But as the poet Chen Chen writes, ‘sometimes parents and children become the most common strangers. Eventually, a street appears where they can meet again.’ I am grateful for this film’s hope.”
Rye Lane. (Hulu) Imagine the charm of a walk-and-talk romcom like Before Sunrise but set against the vibrant backdrop of London. Pure cinematic candy that reminds us that sometimes, the best parts of life are the unplanned detours.
L.A. Story. (Amazon Prime | Apple TV+) Steve Martin being hilariously Steve Martin in a 1991 film that makes fun of and loves LA in equal measure. It’s got that vintage charm that makes you laugh while also nodding along to the ridiculous truths about living in LA.
Shows
The Fall of the House of Usher. (Netflix) Imagine if Succession had a horror-themed baby with Dopesick, and you’re close to what this show’s about. It’s dark, it’s twisty, and it’s unputdownable (or unturnoffable?).
Music
“Coast” by Gone Gone Beyond & Moontricks. I saw Gone Gone Beyond perform live here in Portland and was blown away. Their music is a blend of folk’s heartfelt storytelling and electronica’s vibrant energy. “Coast” stood out with its soothing melody and lyrical wisdom (“It’s out of my control, so I’m gonna coast for a little while.”). It’s a perfect reminder to let go of what you can’t control and take life as it comes.
P.S. I’m so excited to re-open the doors to my blockbuster course, The AI Advantage, in just a few weeks. The course that transformed the game for countless individuals—deemed “by far the best investment I have made” by a previous participant—is getting even better with the upgrades brewing in my lab. Be the first to know when doors open by jumping onto the waitlist at this link.
Related
Bold
