Reader, Quick note before the holidays. In January, I’m opening a small, invitation-only pilot for founders who have been seriously considering a podcast—but only if it’s done with intention, craft, and long-term leverage. This is for founders who: Already see podcasting as an authority play (not a vanity project) Have a small team (1–3 people) and limited margin for distraction Care about credibility, relationships, and signal—not just downloads The focus of the pilot is to help you design a...

“You don’t need more leads. You need more meaningful conversations.” The lightbulb moment was almost visible above his head. I was chatting with a prospect that was having a challenging time connecting with a qualified and relevant audience.. It's a problem I see all too often. Most businesses are drowning in leads but starving for genuine connections. I learned this lesson the hard way myself. Three years ago, I was obsessively focused on growing my email list. More subscribers meant more...

In my sophomore year of college, I discovered the pool hall on campus. Those first few weeks were definitely intimidating because I knew nothing about playing pool. There were many great players there. And over the next few months, thru observation and some friendly coaching, I learned a lot and became a semi-decent player. I picked it up as a hobby, and the skill has come in handy over the years. But one thing is clear: there's a difference between being a professional and doing something...