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!
A secret project
For the past six months, I’ve been cooking up a secret project to take your creative and productive powers to new heights. The details are still top secret, but I’m almost ready to share this exciting venture with you. Stay tuned and keep an eye on your inbox; the big reveal is just a week or two away. Can’t wait to share it with you! 🚀
Books
Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara. This isn’t just any book on hospitality; it’s a masterclass from the former co-owner of the legendary restaurant Eleven Madison Park. Through engaging stories, Guidara explains how every business can transform ordinary transactions into extraordinary experiences. It’s a radical reimagination of what it means to host, serve, and surprise others. Highly, highly recommended. Dear Girls by Ali Wong. If you’re a fan of Ali Wong’s irreverent humor, this audiobook is a must-listen. I got hooked after seeing her live in Portland and listening to the audiobook is like having a private stand-up session in your living room. Alongside her Netflix show Beef and her movie Always Be My Maybe, this book forms the Ali Wong trifecta you didn’t know you needed.Films
Theater Camp (Hulu). This film is a love letter to those awkward teenage summers. Heartwarming, funny, and all shades of real, it captures the essence of youthful ambition and awkwardness. It’s like a time capsule, but with jazz hands.
Moon (Amazon Prime | Apple TV). More than just a sci-fi flick, this film is a thought experiment clothed in suspense. Starring Sam Rockwell as a man on a solitary lunar mission, Moon presents an existential crisis in a landscape that’s miles away but feels close to home. A slow burn, but a beautiful one.
Shows
How to Change Your Mind (Netflix). Based on the groundbreaking book of the same name, the show delves into the scientific and cultural renaissance surrounding psychedelics and their impact on mental health and consciousness. A trip well worth taking.
Only Murders in the Building Season 3 (Hulu). This series doesn’t lose its charm the third time around. With a trio like Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez (and now also with Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd), the laughs are constant and the mystery captivating. It’s the proverbial page-turner, but for your streaming queue.
Music
“Daydream” by Lily Meola. If moonshot thinking had a soundtrack, this would be it. Here’s a flavor of the lyrics: “When we were kids in the backyard, playing astronauts and rockstars, no one told us to stop it, called us unrealistic.” “Keep Moving” by Jungle. I saw Jungle perform an amazing live show a few weeks ago. “Keep Moving” is just the tip of an iceberg of soulful beats and electric vibes. If it whets your appetite, also add “Back on 74” and “Candle Flame” to your queue.
