my finds. Timing felt right for this one. Start of the morning, getting the day going. Quiet but not boring, abstractly exploring without feeling like it was meandering. While Mark Hollis' vocals took a little getting used to, they were never off-putting. Glad to have heard this after feeling like I was seeing it making the rounds a lot.
Timing felt right for this one. Start of the morning, getting the day going. Quiet but not boring, abstractly exploring without feeling like it was meandering. While Mark Hollis' vocals took a little getting used to, they were never off-putting. Glad to have heard this after feeling like I was seeing it making the rounds a lot.
It’s immediately clear why this album transcends to the top of many greatest albums of all times lists. The way each song moves into the next makes the entire record one continuously amazing musical experience. I knew a few tracks, but listening all the way through showed me how political, spiritual, and deeply personal the whole album is. Marvin Gaye's voice moves seamlessly from shouting his message to bringing you intimately close in. A masterpiece.
It’s immediately clear why this album transcends to the top of many greatest albums of all times lists. The way each song moves into the next makes the entire record one continuously amazing musical experience. I knew a few tracks, but listening all the way through showed me how political, spiritual, and deeply personal the whole album is. Marvin Gaye's voice moves seamlessly from shouting his message to bringing you intimately close in. A masterpiece.
Turn on the Bright Lights sounds like a key unlocking the 2000s angular post punk revival. Listening front to back kicked out a bunch of surprises, including 'Roland.' Years ago I went through a phase where I obsessively listened to Snowden’s "Anti-Anti", and now I see where they got their sound. Between the sharp production and tight guitar off plays, this album definitely carved out a lane of its own. Enjoyed it, and I’ll be coming back for more Interpol, including their latest.
Turn on the Bright Lights sounds like a key unlocking the 2000s angular post punk revival. Listening front to back kicked out a bunch of surprises, including 'Roland.' Years ago I went through a phase where I obsessively listened to Snowden’s "Anti-Anti", and now I see where they got their sound. Between the sharp production and tight guitar off plays, this album definitely carved out a lane of its own. Enjoyed it, and I’ll be coming back for more Interpol, including their latest.
Big band, big voice, big love. The arrangements and orchestration are incredible. When you listen to Ray Charles sing, it's transcending, and hearing him physically move as he's moved in singing Just for a Thrill is...well a thrill. What a gem.
Big band, big voice, big love. The arrangements and orchestration are incredible. When you listen to Ray Charles sing, it's transcending, and hearing him physically move as he's moved in singing Just for a Thrill is...well a thrill. What a gem.
David Bowie's Heroes is a fantastic record that caught me completely off guard with its transition and balance of rock and ambient textures. That shift into ambient territory on side two is brilliant, and I could easily listen to a whole album of tracks like 'Moss Garden.' The split between driving art rock and quiet instrumentals was a total surprise, but grabbed me right away. Those ambient pieces never feel like an afterthought, clearly crafted with real care and purpose. Ready for more Bowie!
David Bowie's Heroes is a fantastic record that caught me completely off guard with its transition and balance of rock and ambient textures. That shift into ambient territory on side two is brilliant, and I could easily listen to a whole album of tracks like 'Moss Garden.' The split between driving art rock and quiet instrumentals was a total surprise, but grabbed me right away. Those ambient pieces never feel like an afterthought, clearly crafted with real care and purpose. Ready for more Bowie!
A legendary art folk punk record with incredible highs, but it veers off track once it leaves song structure behind. When tracks erode into screeching noise and feedback like in 'European Son', it loses all momentum. I've noticed a clear pattern for my own taste: when structured songs turn free form, I start to lose interest. The exception for me is jazz, but even there I gravitate toward less all out free form. As crazy as it sounds, you can genuinely hear how many drugs they were on while making this. I mean, there is literally a song called 'Heroin' on the album.
A legendary art folk punk record with incredible highs, but it veers off track once it leaves song structure behind. When tracks erode into screeching noise and feedback like in 'European Son', it loses all momentum. I've noticed a clear pattern for my own taste: when structured songs turn free form, I start to lose interest. The exception for me is jazz, but even there I gravitate toward less all out free form. As crazy as it sounds, you can genuinely hear how many drugs they were on while making this. I mean, there is literally a song called 'Heroin' on the album.
This album is a masterpiece. Standout track for me is 'What Is This Feeling', which sounds like a Sunday stroll down a tree lined street head over heels in love. I've always loved Al Green's voice and know the hits, but listening to this front to back was total love.
This album is a masterpiece. Standout track for me is 'What Is This Feeling', which sounds like a Sunday stroll down a tree lined street head over heels in love. I've always loved Al Green's voice and know the hits, but listening to this front to back was total love.
This album was exhausting for me. Between the chaos of screeching saxophone and the unstructured sounds of meltdown, it was a tiring listen. I usually see records through to the end, but this was one of the few that I stopped playing before it was completely over. No doubt that stripped down recording style was bold new territory in 1970, but the music sounded like free form avant punk jamming.
This album was exhausting for me. Between the chaos of screeching saxophone and the unstructured sounds of meltdown, it was a tiring listen. I usually see records through to the end, but this was one of the few that I stopped playing before it was completely over. No doubt that stripped down recording style was bold new territory in 1970, but the music sounded like free form avant punk jamming.
This is certainly a much rawer, straightforward thrash version of the band while still reaching for their bigger operatic roots. It was a quick and fun listen, and I also learned that this and the next album were the only two with their original singer.
This is certainly a much rawer, straightforward thrash version of the band while still reaching for their bigger operatic roots. It was a quick and fun listen, and I also learned that this and the next album were the only two with their original singer.
This is a bit of a cheat as I know a few of the songs well, but not the whole record. Listening through the rest of the track list, this is definitely a solid listen that stands the test of metal time.
This is a bit of a cheat as I know a few of the songs well, but not the whole record. Listening through the rest of the track list, this is definitely a solid listen that stands the test of metal time.
Besides some of the political and social statements, I had no idea how deeply emotional and personal the songwriting was. You get songs about depression and anxiety, while the very next one is about being a maniac or ripping a six pack of beer. Dealing with both the fun and challenges of being a human in punk form. Who knew? Not me until now.
Besides some of the political and social statements, I had no idea how deeply emotional and personal the songwriting was. You get songs about depression and anxiety, while the very next one is about being a maniac or ripping a six pack of beer. Dealing with both the fun and challenges of being a human in punk form. Who knew? Not me until now.
The lyrics are often buried in the music, and when they aren't, they are abstractly poetic. It makes sense given how powerful their later albums are, especially one of my all time favorites, Automatic for the People. While this clocks in at a pretty quick pace, it sounds like a band getting their heartfelt selves together.
The lyrics are often buried in the music, and when they aren't, they are abstractly poetic. It makes sense given how powerful their later albums are, especially one of my all time favorites, Automatic for the People. While this clocks in at a pretty quick pace, it sounds like a band getting their heartfelt selves together.
There is a real sense of purpose across this album, like a sharp angularity that was very intentional. It feels like an artist who had been honing their craft and decided to go against the system with a new way of song writing. Back then I imagine this was pretty remarkable, and even now you can hear how other bands were influenced by it. I dig it.
There is a real sense of purpose across this album, like a sharp angularity that was very intentional. It feels like an artist who had been honing their craft and decided to go against the system with a new way of song writing. Back then I imagine this was pretty remarkable, and even now you can hear how other bands were influenced by it. I dig it.
One of my least favorite records I’ve listened to so far. Sure Mike Watt is in it and he’s a legend, but I could barely stomach the lackadaisical, meandering jam punk borefest.
One of my least favorite records I’ve listened to so far. Sure Mike Watt is in it and he’s a legend, but I could barely stomach the lackadaisical, meandering jam punk borefest.
The production is so powerful, an intense non stop statement. There’s a lot of filler on the album that but that feels very emblematic of hip hop releases during the times. Each track is a political movement wrapped in incredible production. It feels genuinely important, and you really feel the weight of that message after listening.
The production is so powerful, an intense non stop statement. There’s a lot of filler on the album that but that feels very emblematic of hip hop releases during the times. Each track is a political movement wrapped in incredible production. It feels genuinely important, and you really feel the weight of that message after listening.
Jimi Hendrix is one of the most influential and iconic guitar players of all time. There is absolutely no doubt about that, and you can hear it in every note he plays. Overall, though, this album is a meandering haze of jam infused rock and psychedelic blues. While I'm sure that loose vibe is the main draw for a lot of listeners, it just doesn't work for me. At its tightest with songs like 'Crosstown Traffic,' 'All Along the Watchtower,' and 'House Burning Down,' it really rips. For me though, the wandering far outweighs the rest.
Jimi Hendrix is one of the most influential and iconic guitar players of all time. There is absolutely no doubt about that, and you can hear it in every note he plays. Overall, though, this album is a meandering haze of jam infused rock and psychedelic blues. While I'm sure that loose vibe is the main draw for a lot of listeners, it just doesn't work for me. At its tightest with songs like 'Crosstown Traffic,' 'All Along the Watchtower,' and 'House Burning Down,' it really rips. For me though, the wandering far outweighs the rest.
This is a fantastic album. He's got such a distinctive and unique voice. Short but sweet power pop and it's a solid listen front to back. Would definitely come back for more of this record!
This is a fantastic album. He's got such a distinctive and unique voice. Short but sweet power pop and it's a solid listen front to back. Would definitely come back for more of this record!
Putting a fresh coat of paint on the site with a retro update inspired by '80s Atari cartridges and VHS boxes. After I got everything done, I did realize that it shares some of the color bandings as the awesome @hiro.report that Chris sends out, definitely not intentional. Would love to know what you think!
Putting a fresh coat of paint on the site with a retro update inspired by '80s Atari cartridges and VHS boxes. After I got everything done, I did realize that it shares some of the color bandings as the awesome @hiro.report that Chris sends out, definitely not intentional. Would love to know what you think!
In building out my website on EmDash CMS, I had a pretty straightforward goal:
To have a fun, lighthearted space where it was easy to share my finds and miscellaneous posts.
I wanted it to feel like Tumblr, with each card acting as its own self-contained post. Less clicking required to get the point, but easy to dive into the details whenever you want. So far, I feel like I'm still pretty close to that goal. Each post has a fun layout, rarely requires a click in, and when you do, a smooth drawer gives you the full piece. The standalone post URLs follow that same format as the home page cards if I want to share something directly.
Color and layout wise, v1 served its purpose, but I wanted to put on a fresh coat of paint. Growing up in the '80s, and with all things retro being extra fun right now, I was inspired by Atari cartridges and VHS boxes for this update.
So really, instead of rambling on about the update and what I did and what worked and what didn't and all the iterations, I'll just leave it at this. The fresh coat of paint is done, and I'm pretty happy with where it's at. I like how the cards look. I like how the slide in looks when you click into one of the cards. I dig how the posts look on their own.
All in, I'm pretty happy with how it's looking. There is still more work to do on some of the copy and images and such, but it's at a place now where I can just keep evolving it from here.
So play around, check it out. Let me know what you think. Oh, and one minor note. After I got everything done, I did realize that it shares some of the color bandings as the awesome Hiro report that Chris sends out, definitely not intentional.
This just popped up on a misc playlist and I love it. You will too!
This just popped up on a misc playlist and I love it. You will too!
Last week I listened to 6 new to me albums, and posted little blurbs about each on my website (in bio). I have a work trip coming up this week, so either it's going to slow my progress down or supercharge it as I listen to albums on the flight. Otherwise, having fun making my way through it and sharing the journey! Thanks for following, and always let me know your must listen albums!
Last week I listened to 6 new to me albums, and posted little blurbs about each on my website (in bio). I have a work trip coming up this week, so either it's going to slow my progress down or supercharge it as I listen to albums on the flight. Otherwise, having fun making my way through it and sharing the journey! Thanks for following, and always let me know your must listen albums!
Definitely a prog journey and I do enjoy some proggy goodness. Red started out strong, but I felt like it started losing its steam mid way through. The tight arrangements turned into more meandering, but overall this was a pretty solid album.
Definitely a prog journey and I do enjoy some proggy goodness. Red started out strong, but I felt like it started losing its steam mid way through. The tight arrangements turned into more meandering, but overall this was a pretty solid album.
This was a roaringly quick listen, and Killer Queen is such a classic track, love it. I had no idea that Stone Cold Crazy was originally a Queen song as I've only ever heard covers of it. The record is a wild ride, ranging from arena rock to power ballads to surprisingly thrashy, metal riffs. I really enjoyed it front to back. Hearing this more raw version of Queen before the bigger rock anthems, which are great in their own right, is very cool.
This was a roaringly quick listen, and Killer Queen is such a classic track, love it. I had no idea that Stone Cold Crazy was originally a Queen song as I've only ever heard covers of it. The record is a wild ride, ranging from arena rock to power ballads to surprisingly thrashy, metal riffs. I really enjoyed it front to back. Hearing this more raw version of Queen before the bigger rock anthems, which are great in their own right, is very cool.
Stevie Wonder is a master musician and singer, and this entire record is a stunning sonic journey. From the song arrangements to the production, everything is so tight and immaculate. Even clocking in at over 90 minutes, it's a deep listen that covers an incredible amount of musical ground. Absolutely loved it!
Stevie Wonder is a master musician and singer, and this entire record is a stunning sonic journey. From the song arrangements to the production, everything is so tight and immaculate. Even clocking in at over 90 minutes, it's a deep listen that covers an incredible amount of musical ground. Absolutely loved it!
Ok, so this one may not be entirely fair as I'm pretty certain I've listened to this album before, and most definitely the singles. Maybe it just feels that way because the singles are locked in my brain. It's a fantastic pop record. The production is immaculate and so tight, while still feeling like a band playing in a room and not overproduced. Beyond the big singles, 'Don't Cha Stop' and 'Bye Bye Love' were my standouts.
Ok, so this one may not be entirely fair as I'm pretty certain I've listened to this album before, and most definitely the singles. Maybe it just feels that way because the singles are locked in my brain. It's a fantastic pop record. The production is immaculate and so tight, while still feeling like a band playing in a room and not overproduced. Beyond the big singles, 'Don't Cha Stop' and 'Bye Bye Love' were my standouts.
I can hear why this album matters and in the countless bands it influenced. Listening to it, I respect the mark it made, but it's just not for me. Still, I guarantee I'll love something new down the line, only to hear someone say, 'See? They wouldn't exist without Joy Division,' and I'll get it 100%
I can hear why this album matters and in the countless bands it influenced. Listening to it, I respect the mark it made, but it's just not for me. Still, I guarantee I'll love something new down the line, only to hear someone say, 'See? They wouldn't exist without Joy Division,' and I'll get it 100%
I love music, but it's impossible to hear everything. Over the next year, I'm challenging myself to listen to at least 100 albums that are new to me. Mostly digging back into the archives, records I probably should've heard by now, or where I've only heard a song or two. I'll be putting up a little post about each one as I go. Should be fun. Follow along, and tell me what I've been missing.
I love music, but it's impossible to hear everything. Over the next year, I'm challenging myself to listen to at least 100 albums that are new to me. Mostly digging back into the archives, records I probably should've heard by now, or where I've only heard a song or two. I'll be putting up a little post about each one as I go. Should be fun. Follow along, and tell me what I've been missing.
Back in June, I talked about filming a bunch of content. I had some themes, kind of an idea in my head of what I wanted to post about over the summer.
Back in June, I talked about filming a bunch of content. I had some themes, kind of an idea in my head of what I wanted to post about over the summer.
Back in June, I talked about filming a bunch of content. I had some themes, kind of an idea in my head of what I wanted to post about over the summer.
Then July hit. Between a family emergency that had me down in Atlanta, a short break once I got home, and then an amazing family trip out to Tokyo, the rest of the summer was kind of a blur.
So here we are. It's late August, the kids are back in school, and I'm finally getting back into the swing of things. Feeling like I've got a routine again, getting back into my old pre-summer habits.
So, all that's to say, I'm gonna be back on here a little bit more, filming a few more videos. I've been doing my walk and talks, which is kind of like a little daily writing practice I've had going. I had some pretty good habits pre-summer, so I'm getting back into those too. Getting up, doing some reading, doing some writing, working on some personal projects, then getting right into work.
Anyway, it's good to be back in the routine. I hope everything is awesome with you.
I know Tears for Fears but can't say I've ever sat down and really listened to a full album from them. Finally sitting down and listening to Songs from the Big Chair. While I know the hits, I don't know this record at all. Stand out so far is Mothers Talk and the production is tight and it's a throw back to my childhood. The radio hits were unavoidable!
I know Tears for Fears but can't say I've ever sat down and really listened to a full album from them. Finally sitting down and listening to Songs from the Big Chair. While I know the hits, I don't know this record at all. Stand out so far is Mothers Talk and the production is tight and it's a throw back to my childhood. The radio hits were unavoidable!
We need to know, who put the bomp!?!?
We need to know, who put the bomp!?!?
Pop goodness from Marching Band's first album. This song showed back up in my library today and it's super catchy. I remember having this on repeat way back when I first heard it. Not my normal dose of super candy gloss, but when in the candy store, you gotta eat.
Pop goodness from Marching Band's first album. This song showed back up in my library today and it's super catchy. I remember having this on repeat way back when I first heard it. Not my normal dose of super candy gloss, but when in the candy store, you gotta eat.
In 2002 I went on tour with Hey Mercedes. That's a whole story for another time. It was on that tour that Todd introduced me to Wheat, among tons of other amazing bands. Spending time listening to Hope and Adams as I type.
In 2002 I went on tour with Hey Mercedes. That's a whole story for another time. It was on that tour that Todd introduced me to Wheat, among tons of other amazing bands. Spending time listening to Hope and Adams as I type.
Never really listened to this album before. It's a much more straightforward, less mathy version of their past records. While it doesn't have that familiar, sprawling Mew sound, I'm really enjoying it and glad to finally be digging in.
Never really listened to this album before. It's a much more straightforward, less mathy version of their past records. While it doesn't have that familiar, sprawling Mew sound, I'm really enjoying it and glad to finally be digging in.
This popped up in my music discovery app and: a) I have not listened to Balun in a long time b) I've been loving getting reacquainted with this fantastic album and track c) We need a new Balun album
This popped up in my music discovery app and: a) I have not listened to Balun in a long time b) I've been loving getting reacquainted with this fantastic album and track c) We need a new Balun album
Discovered this album from someone on Instagram. Wish I had saved who that person was and give them credit, but this is some awesome jazz-style hip-hop. Super up my alley. Really digging it so far.
Discovered this album from someone on Instagram. Wish I had saved who that person was and give them credit, but this is some awesome jazz-style hip-hop. Super up my alley. Really digging it so far.
love this track
love this track
Exploring Kashiwayacho. We should have stopped in one of the amazing restaurants to grab a bite to eat. Said we would the next night but didn’t get a chance to. Was an amazing stroll that ended by the river in the rain.
Exploring Kashiwayacho. We should have stopped in one of the amazing restaurants to grab a bite to eat. Said we would the next night but didn’t get a chance to. Was an amazing stroll that ended by the river in the rain.
July was insane between amazing adventures in Japan and a family emergency in Atlanta. As we wind into the last month of summer, I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. Catching up on the adventure of life!
July was insane between amazing adventures in Japan and a family emergency in Atlanta. As we wind into the last month of summer, I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. Catching up on the adventure of life!
Was absolutely obsessed with this record when it first came out and spending the evening listening to all things Manchester Orchestra.
Was absolutely obsessed with this record when it first came out and spending the evening listening to all things Manchester Orchestra.
Robert Frost said, "The best way out is always through." I was reminded of that last week while talking with a friend navigating a difficult season in the game industry with real focus and grace. He keeps showing up for the work and the people around him, and that stayed with me. Forward is the word I'm sitting with right now.
Robert Frost said, "The best way out is always through." I was reminded of that last week while talking with a friend navigating a difficult season in the game industry with real focus and grace. He keeps showing up for the work and the people around him, and that stayed with me. Forward is the word I'm sitting with right now.
Robert Frost's line, "the best way out is always through," came up last week in a conversation with a friend who was in town for Unreal Fest. He's been navigating a lot in the game industry right now, and I found it genuinely moving to watch how he carries himself through it. He keeps his focus on what he can control and continues to show up for his work and the partnerships he's building.
That conversation brought me back to a set of questions I return to constantly: for myself, for my family, and for the kids. How do you focus on what you can actually control? How do you keep making progress despite what gets thrown in front of you? How do you prioritize well enough that you're chipping away at the right things across work, home, and everything in between?
Moving forward and resilience tend to go together. You can't really have one without constantly solving for the other, and it gets noisy. I don't have a tidy list of tips and tricks, and I think that's a longer conversation for another day. But "forward" is the word I'm sitting with right now.
Robert Frost said the best way out is always through. I think about that a lot.
Last week, I was talking with a friend who was in town for Unreal Fest. He's been through a lot in the game industry, and it genuinely moved me to watch how he carries himself through it. He keeps his eyes on what he can control, keeps building, and keeps showing up for the work in front of him and the partnerships he's nurturing. I'm not going to share what he's working on because that's his news to share. But the way he's navigating it all is the kind of thing that sticks with you.
It made me think about what moving forward actually looks like in practice, not the inspirational-poster version of it. Life gets hard. Life gets genuinely challenging, and I'm not going to sit here and say, "Just keep moving and it'll be fine," because that's not honest. But I do find myself returning to the same set of questions over and over, not just for myself, but for my family, for the kids, and for life in general.
How do you focus on the things you can actually control? How do you keep making progress despite what gets thrown in front of you? How do you prioritize what you can and can't take on so you're chipping away at the right things at home, at work, and in all the space in between?
It gets noisy. It gets crazy. Resilience and forward motion tend to go together that way. You can't really have one without constantly solving for the other. I don't have a tidy list of tips and tricks for how to do it. I think that's probably a longer conversation for another day. But "forward" is the word I'm sitting with right now, and I wanted to put it out there.
The most adorable looking music player. Added to my must have list, looks awesome!
The most adorable looking music player. Added to my must have list, looks awesome!
Lucy Dacus is amazing, and you know that. Not only is she an intensely incredible singer but a brilliant storyteller as well. The way she narrates paints a vivid picture, it's all too easy to feel like you can relate some part of yourself to what she's singing. Forever is a Feeling was one of my favorite albums of 2025 and I've been slowly going back through her releases.
Lucy Dacus is amazing, and you know that. Not only is she an intensely incredible singer but a brilliant storyteller as well. The way she narrates paints a vivid picture, it's all too easy to feel like you can relate some part of yourself to what she's singing. Forever is a Feeling was one of my favorite albums of 2025 and I've been slowly going back through her releases.
Digging into the new Fiddlehead single and love this track. So good, do they ever miss?
Digging into the new Fiddlehead single and love this track. So good, do they ever miss?
Revisiting the older catalog from Town Portal. This song closes out their 2015 release The Occident, a massive, driving, riff-filled closer that really stands out.
Revisiting the older catalog from Town Portal. This song closes out their 2015 release The Occident, a massive, driving, riff-filled closer that really stands out.
Going back through the archives tonight. The Long Winters had an amazing way of weaving these off kilter but familiar stories through their songs. 'Honest' is one of my favorite tracks by them, and a playful cautionary tale for my own daughters :) "Honest, it's alright to be a singer. But don't you love a singer whatever you do, whatever you do."
Going back through the archives tonight. The Long Winters had an amazing way of weaving these off kilter but familiar stories through their songs. 'Honest' is one of my favorite tracks by them, and a playful cautionary tale for my own daughters :) "Honest, it's alright to be a singer. But don't you love a singer whatever you do, whatever you do."
Wandering Goat is crushing it. On my to pick up EDC list
Wandering Goat is crushing it. On my to pick up EDC list
The latest Death Cab for Cutie album has been on repeat. It's so great!
The latest Death Cab for Cutie album has been on repeat. It's so great!
Robert Frost's line keeps coming back to me this week: the best way out is always through. A friend was in town for Unreal Fest, someone who's navigated real adversity in the games industry,…
Robert Frost's line keeps coming back to me this week: the best way out is always through. A friend was in town for Unreal Fest, someone who's navigated real adversity in the games industry,…
Robert Frost had it right: the best way out is always through. I think about that line a lot, and it's been sitting with me especially this week after a conversation with a friend who was in town for Unreal Fest.
He's been through a lot in the game industry. Real adversity. And watching him continue to build, continue to focus on what's in front of him, the work he can actually control, the partnerships, the next step — it's genuinely inspirational. I told him I was proud of him, and I meant it. Not because everything worked out perfectly, but because he kept moving.
That's what this week's theme is about: forward. Not as a platitude, not as a bumper sticker. I know life gets hard and I know it gets challenging in ways that no amount of positive thinking just fixes. This isn't that kind of pep talk.
But the question I keep coming back to, for myself, for my family, for the kids, is a practical one. How do you make progress despite what gets thrown in front of you? How do you figure out what you can actually control and focus your energy there instead of getting swallowed by everything you can't? How do you chip away at the to-do list, at the responsibilities at home and at work, when everything around you is loud and chaotic?
It gets noisy. It gets crazy. And resilience, real resilience, isn't just about absorbing hits. It's about figuring out how to keep moving in the face of resistance, in the face of adversity, one small step at a time.
I don't have a tidy list of tips for this. That's probably a conversation for another day. But forward is the word I'm carrying this week, and I wanted to put it out there because sometimes naming the thing you're working toward is enough to start.
Simone thinks she's hilarious when she gets up on the picnic table at the dog park.
Simone thinks she's hilarious when she gets up on the picnic table at the dog park.
"How far must you go to gain respect?" Hard to Earn has been on repeat recently.
"How far must you go to gain respect?" Hard to Earn has been on repeat recently.
My oldest just started her first job, and she's managing friendships, school stress, and peer pressure all at once. Watching her navigate the hard stuff and come out the other side with her head…
My oldest just started her first job, and she's managing friendships, school stress, and peer pressure all at once. Watching her navigate the hard stuff and come out the other side with her head…
My oldest just started her first job, and she's managing friendships, school stress, and peer pressure all at once. Watching her navigate the hard stuff and come out the other side with her head up is a kind of pride I didn't manufacture. I've been thinking a lot about resilience this week, not just my own, but my kids'. The strength they carry into their day-to-day lives genuinely stops me sometimes.
As a parent, you can have the conversations, stay consistent, keep bringing things up even when they roll their eyes. You can model how to handle difficult moments and talk through the kinds of situations that don't disappear after high school but just keep changing shape. But at a certain point, they have to walk through it themselves. You can only take credit for so much.
Resilience doesn't mean burying your feelings or skipping past them to get to the resolution faster. Feeling bad about hard things is just honest. The work is in moving through it rather than camping inside it, and the navigation itself belongs to the person doing it. My kids are doing it.1c:T9d7,Watching your kids navigate the hard stuff — friendships falling apart, school pressure, moments where they don't know which way to turn — and seeing them come out the other side with their heads up, that's a different kind of pride. It's not the kind you manufacture. It just shows up one day and sits with you.
I've been thinking a lot about resilience this week. Not just my own, but my kids'. The strength they carry into their day-to-day lives is something I find myself genuinely in awe of. My oldest just started her first job. She's managing friendships, school stress, peer pressure, all of it at once. And she's doing it. That's not nothing.
As a parent, you have to be honest with yourself about how much credit you can actually take. You can have the conversations. You can stay consistent, keep bringing things up even when they roll their eyes, even when it feels like nothing lands. We talk a lot in our house about how to handle difficult moments, how to navigate the kinds of situations that don't disappear after high school but just keep changing shape. Sometimes easier, sometimes harder, always a little different than the last time.
But at a certain point, they have to walk through it themselves. That's the part no one can hand them.
The easy thing to do when something goes wrong is to get stuck. Get mired in what your friends did or didn't do, sit in the guilt, the embarrassment, the why-did-this-happen-to-me spiral. That pull is real and it makes sense. Feeling bad about hard things is just honest.
Resilience doesn't mean burying any of that. It doesn't mean pretending you're fine or skipping past the feelings to get to the resolution faster. Acknowledging how you feel, actually facing the thing in front of you, that's part of it. The work is in moving through it rather than camping inside it.
What I keep coming back to is that you can't outsource this to anyone. Not to a parent, not to a friend, not to a good conversation at the dinner table. Those things matter. They stack up over time. But the navigation itself belongs to the person doing it.
My kids are doing it. And I couldn't be more proud of that.
This chapter of my career is so exciting and I’m thrilled to be making this game with such a talented team!
This chapter of my career is so exciting and I’m thrilled to be making this game with such a talented team!
I picked up the Osmo Nano a while back planning to film casual life logs, and this summer I'm actually committing to it. The goal is to capture fun moments, small ongoings, and the kind of…
I picked up the Osmo Nano a while back planning to film casual life logs, and this summer I'm actually committing to it. The goal is to capture fun moments, small ongoings, and the kind of…
June 1st has a way of making you feel like a fresh start is actually possible. I picked up the Osmo Nano a while back with the idea that I'd film little snippets of life — quick, casual, nothing polished. Life logs, really. Something for my future self, or for my family down the road. And if I'm honest, I haven't used it nearly as much as I planned. But June feels different. This summer, I'm committing to capturing more of it.
The plan is mostly personal stuff. Fun moments, small ongoings, the kind of things that slip away if you don't grab them. Work content is trickier since there's not always something I can share publicly, but when there is, I'll include it. Mostly though, this is about documenting the journey for me and the people closest to me.
That impulse comes from something I'm really glad I did: I recorded my dad's life story a while ago, four hours of captures spread across a series of conversations. It's one of the best things I've made. Not for an audience, just for us. I wouldn't have any of that if I hadn't made the deliberate choice to sit down with him and do it. That experience stuck with me, and it's had me thinking more seriously about what I'm leaving behind. It sounds a little fatalistic, but it's genuinely true.
So these little videos are partly a personal archive and partly worth sharing. I'm going to try posting them on Subwave, which looks like a solid platform for this kind of thing. It's made by the same folks behind Detail — I don't use Detail yet, though I'm curious how it might work with the Nano. Could be a nice addition to the kit. We'll see how it all fits together.
Either way, the camera's coming out this summer. Let's do this.
Winding my day down with the beautiful acoustic atmosphere provided by Jesse Lewis and Ike Sturm. I was obsessed with this record years ago and am glad to have rediscovered it. Recorded live in nature, you can hear the outdoor environment whispering through the recordings. Listen, love, and drift off.
Winding my day down with the beautiful acoustic atmosphere provided by Jesse Lewis and Ike Sturm. I was obsessed with this record years ago and am glad to have rediscovered it. Recorded live in nature, you can hear the outdoor environment whispering through the recordings. Listen, love, and drift off.
Finally getting more time with the latest American Football album. This is yet another stellar release by this legendary emo band. A more mature, wiser, and introspective record that still keeps their long standing charm and feel.
Finally getting more time with the latest American Football album. This is yet another stellar release by this legendary emo band. A more mature, wiser, and introspective record that still keeps their long standing charm and feel.
Opening track from Naná Rizinni's album Epiblast. I'm obsessed with this entire record, it's easily one of my favorites of the year. The track has a dynamic, driving complexity that also feels approachable.
Opening track from Naná Rizinni's album Epiblast. I'm obsessed with this entire record, it's easily one of my favorites of the year. The track has a dynamic, driving complexity that also feels approachable.
Got a pair of Meta Scriber’s for my everyday glasses. Getting used to the fit but really dig them so far. I’ve got a pair of the v1 and looking forward to the upgrades and extended battery life.
Got a pair of Meta Scriber’s for my everyday glasses. Getting used to the fit but really dig them so far. I’ve got a pair of the v1 and looking forward to the upgrades and extended battery life.
This album is such an awesome jazz odyssey and this track stood out for me.
This album is such an awesome jazz odyssey and this track stood out for me.
Love Bonobo and was not familiar with this song that popped up on my playlist. The video is a bit stressful but I really enjoy the track.
Love Bonobo and was not familiar with this song that popped up on my playlist. The video is a bit stressful but I really enjoy the track.
An older album of theirs popped up on my playlist. Spending some morning listening time checking out their release from last year and of course digging it.
An older album of theirs popped up on my playlist. Spending some morning listening time checking out their release from last year and of course digging it.
New discovery and its growing on me fast. Reminds me of Grizzly Bear meets Radiohead and with a whole unique twist. Can’t wait to listen more!
New discovery and its growing on me fast. Reminds me of Grizzly Bear meets Radiohead and with a whole unique twist. Can’t wait to listen more!
Every time I listen to the latest Mammal Hands record, it moves higher up in my favorites of the year list.
Every time I listen to the latest Mammal Hands record, it moves higher up in my favorites of the year list.
I know I already posted this but, Gia Margaret’s new album is amazing and beautiful. Cellular Reverse is my current favorite track from it. Dive in!
I know I already posted this but, Gia Margaret’s new album is amazing and beautiful. Cellular Reverse is my current favorite track from it. Dive in!
The transition about a minute in is amazing.
The transition about a minute in is amazing.
I need a long version of this for background streaming while working.
I need a long version of this for background streaming while working.
I need a long version of this for background streaming while working.
Second song in and stunning. Looking forward to listening more!
Second song in and stunning. Looking forward to listening more!
New Quicksand single!?! So stoked!
New Quicksand single!?! So stoked!
New Quicksand single!?! So stoked!
This record went from a “I should check this out” to a “holy shit what amazing sonic labyrinth have I entered!” It’s so good.
This record went from a “I should check this out” to a “holy shit what amazing sonic labyrinth have I entered!” It’s so good.
“There’s four sides to every story, if these walls could talk they’d probably still ignore me”
“There’s four sides to every story, if these walls could talk they’d probably still ignore me”
This song popped up on an Apple Music station mix I had going and I'm glad it did. Been obsessively listening to it!
This song popped up on an Apple Music station mix I had going and I'm glad it did. Been obsessively listening to it!
Of course the new Downward single / tracks are awesome
Of course the new Downward single / tracks are awesome
Had a chance to check this out at Axpona and really liked it. Magsafe, small, and solid sound. May have to grab one on Kickstarter!
Had a chance to check this out at Axpona and really liked it. Magsafe, small, and solid sound. May have to grab one on Kickstarter!
Really enjoyed her last album and this one is amazing!
Really enjoyed her last album and this one is amazing!
New Lantlos is fantastic
New Lantlos is fantastic
Yes, I need another sling and these look awesome!
Yes, I need another sling and these look awesome!
Always puts us in a good mood!
Always puts us in a good mood!
