UPDATE - I noticed a few key spelling / grammatical errors after hitting send on this post. I apologize for that. In a rush to get this out, I fly through it all a little too fast sometimes. Here’s a cleaned-up version revisiting your inbox. Stay tuned for more on the horizon too with Move Fast, Think Slow dispatches. An interview with an Ad executive-turned-horticulture entrepreneur is coming. Also, a dispatch on an area I’m increasingly curious about: how the increasing obsession with data in all things business helps them grow but sort of takes the soul out of life. For example, just see Netflix’s programming slate. And with that, enjoy v2 of the Pro Tips 2022 dispatch.
Hello Familia - Wow, is it nearly 2023? That's insane. As I'm looking back on the year there are some things worth sharing. And what are those things? Let’s call them the dopest pro-tips of 2022 and beyond. But first…
A QUICK 2022 MF/TS RECAP
At the top of the year, I set out a goal to improve the amount of dispatches I sent out in 2021 (5). That goal was achieved with a nominal 13 dispatches posted in 2022. Let’s gooooo!!!!!
The analysis & perspective: The data says that all I can muster is 1x dispatch a month. And that’s just fine. You do what you can do and the rest sorts itself out. What started out as an experiment continues to be one. I appreciate everyone's patience and openness with this exploration. I'm still sorting it all out. Life is never about one size fits all and I don't think this newsletter will ever be either.
TBH, I’m just jazzed readers look at this thing. And better yet some of you dig the chili of Move Fast, Think Slow. And I appreciate that.
What’s MF/TS about again: Move Fast, Think Slow covers cultural trends while shining a light on mindful meditations. This was the most popular read in 2022 (on media theory & brand Americana) and this dispatch harnesses the essence (The Art of Living Slow) of what I mean when talking about thinking slow.
Having a full-time 24/7 work & life job makes it challenging to write dispatches at a high volume. That said, here’s to breaking my record in 2023. May I get 14 this time around. 🤗
2022 | What’s Hot 🔥
As we are ending the year, I too want to share my Best of 2022 pro-tips. These are recommendations I often made this past year. They cover health, TV shows, books, and podcasts for your mentals, your spirituals, and your journeys. That’s plural because after all, you’re not one-size-fits-all are you? 😊
Health Pro Tips 🧘
Your coffee is making you insane so try this instead:
Research proves coffee makes you go a little bit nuts. And research also shows that while it helps you feel less tired you end up feeling more tired. That’s why after drinking Four Sigma's Ground Mushroom coffee I haven’t looked back.
What is it: Its chaga mushrooms, coffee bean and some other health AF stuff like Turkey Tail Mushroom and probiotics.
Also see:
Think Ground Coffee: It’s coffee with Lion’s Mane in it and it’s not only tasty but creates a great flow state.
Think Exilir Mix: This is becoming my afternoon pick me up because it does not have caffeine in it but I get a boost. Can’t recommend it enough.
Magic Mind all over my feeds + diving deeper into flow state
What it is: A shot with Matcha, nootropics, adaptogens, and caffeine.
How it works: You drink it with your caffeine/morning routine. And the rest of it takes care of itself.
Why I like it: This actually works. I didn't go for that 2nd cup of coffee. And I actually felt a flow state. And not the zany type of flow state. If you need to focus and get sh** done. Don’t disregard Magic Mind.
PS. Health Pro Tips
I like my cold shower and cold baths. I highly recommend looking into bringing it into your life, especially if you keep physical consistently. It’s a game changer.
TV Shows (Content F#*$ Yeah) Pro Tips 📺
Thanks to my wife, I have watched nearly every single show that's moving culture and setting trends. These are our top picks from 2022 (and beyond).
Severance (Apple): Weird. Great acting. Fascinating undertones that directly relate to the tech-corporate world with live in today. Rotten Tomatoes ave. audience score says 82% and we think they underestimate the show’s greatness. The acting is tremendous. The world they built weird and ambiguous. Very 2022. It gets a 88% from us.
The Bear (F/X ): Authentic. Gritty. Fun. Poetic. Incredibly well-shot. Incredibly well-written and exceptionally acted. Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and company crush it. Shout out to what my wife called the best episode she’s even seen in TV. Here’s a clue. They never do a single cut in the episode. Rotten Tomatoes says 91% and the hive-mind is absolutely correct because The Bear is tremendous.
White Lotus (HBO Max): Funny. Out there. Weird. Cute. Honest. Scary. Scary honest? 69% ave audience ranking. Perhaps that’s because like many things HBO, culturally speaking, it’s only relevant to an LA, SF & NYC audience but to the rest of the world probably not as much. We severely disagree with RT audience average though give it 92%. It’s excellently written. Excellently acted. Talking about multiple things within (lives of the rich) culture and nothing all at once. Mike White, the show’s creator, writes all the episodes himself. Absolute brilliance.
Bad Sisters (Apple): Great ensemble cast led by the formidable Sharon Horgan (who also created and wrote the show itself). An inverse who done it but more so how was it done too? And you don't mind that someone gets dropped because the person who they drop is so painfully awful (excellently portrayed by Claes Bang). The 67% average audience rating on RT is too off the mark for us. This is very good material that has a strong cast, we give it a 88%.
Abbott Elementary (ABC/Hulu): Quinta Brunson created an absolutely wonderful comedic program. This Office-style show takes place in an inner-city Elementary school in Philadelphia. The writing is on point. Each actor hits their triple axel landings of jokes and real-talk-life-wisdom. All the while pointing out how hard it is to be a public school teacher in very direct ways. You laugh and laugh/cry your way through each episode. 89% Ave. audience score on RT and I’d say these people average AF because AE is absolutely exceptional program. It gets a 95% from us.
Warrior (Netflix): Ronny Chieng shouted out this show during the pandemic and it did not disappoint. Period piece with Bruce Lee style kung fu set in booming San Francisco gold rush era of the 1870s. A real cool back drop with amazing fight sequences. P.S. concept originated from Bruce Lee and they do this legend justice. Average Rotten Tomatoes score is 95% and they are absolutely correct. It’s a real banger.
Fleischman is in Trouble (Hulu): So far very good. Especially if you’re a working parent in any capacity trying to keep it all together. Based off a book, this show does a great job through tremendous acting by Jesse Eisenberg and one of the best actresses of her generation (Claire Danes) showing the honest side of having ambition in a society that doesn’t let you cut any corners. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 88% and they’re correct.
Special Mention
Yellowstone (Paramount): Apparently this thing is the #1 show in America with 12.7MM for Season 4. and I will admit, I was slow on the uptake. Yet, as I look at and study the show more I see what’s drawing people in. Part Dallas, Part Succession, Part the Old West, Part Costner. The ave audience score on RT is 73% and right now the jury is still out but I am willing to be it’ll be in the 80% to 85% range.
The Great (Hulu): Writing is witty AF. Acting is on point. Both leads and their supporting cast stick the landing in nearly every scene. It’s a bit whimsical and zany with a modern tone to it all. Rotten Tomatoes’ average audience score is 82%. That’s absolutely incorrect. We give this show a cool 93%.
Atlanta (F/X): Weird. Creative. Smart. Excellently shot and directed. Rotten Tomatoes’ average audience score is 82%. I say it’s deserving of an 89% just for it’s sheer bravery and artistry. Atlanta is television and yet it’s not at the same time and that’s why it’s great.
Books Pro Tips 📚
I've read a handful of books this past year. Here are my top ones:
From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks: The book asserts an interesting (research-backed) notion of intelligence in two distinct life stages. Thought-provoking when one considered their life’s journey and career. I found it refreshing to understand there’s a way toward both happiness and value creation on the horizon and it absolutely has nothing to do with “the hustle.”
Futureproof: 9 Rules for Humans in the Age of Automation by Kevin Roose: This book spells out what is happening and will continue to happen in Big Tech around Artificial Intelligence (AI). And like most things big tech it’s big gnarly. Both good and bad…and mostly bad for humans due to losing jobs and all of that. And yet, we hold out for hope for human touch and Roose does too.
A Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl: Frankl's legendary book continues to inspire millions. A scholar who survived 4x Holocaust camps turned out to be the godfather of psychological studies and actual-street-cred-survived-four-facking-holocaust-camps wisdom that outlines ways to find meaning and focus on what matters (despite the odds). As a friend told me, it's intense and amazing all at the same time. I’ve been going back to this a lot lately.
A Serious Guide to Joke Writing by Sally Holloway: After searching for books on comedy in hopes of learning how to write funny better this book was a major unlock. There’s an actual process in unlocking what’s funny about a particular topic and Sally does a great job offering a plethora of ways to unlock the art of the joke.
Newsletters 📧
Dense Discovery - Kai Branch does a great job highlighting interesting doing interesting things that are not celebrities or some business PR big wig. Always offering cutting-edge intelligence on the fight against climate change, and curating excellent links to Apps and other novel digital explorations and projects.
Nick Cave’s the Red Hand files - These short responses to fans and inquiries are excellent love notes that fit Nick Cave. Nearly every note is written to perfection with wonderful wisdom on life and the task at hand. I can’t recommend it enough.
Podcasts Pro Tips 🎧📡
I listen to Kara Swisher & Scott Galloway’s Pivot. Their coverage of business, tech, and the state of the world is typically on the money most of the time. Plus it's pretty much all that I have time in a given week.
Go listen to this episode | How to Live a Better, Happier Life (with Rabbi Steve Leder): A friend put me onto this episode a few weeks back and after listening (and crying at times) I sent it out to all the folks I could think of. It’s that good. It’s especially poignant if you have an aging family member around you, but even if not, it’s still excellent.
Favorite Shots from 2022 📸
And one more thing…
Take care of yourself.
- Mitch