November 2025

Howdy!

In this issue: hear the benefits of local information, download an app for sharing recipes and an fool proof way for your phone not to distract you.

The world news has no consequential effect on us

My name is Dan and I am a Wall Street Journal-aholic.

For the last decade, the Wall Street Journal has been my primary source of news. It’s the news, stock ticker, opinions column and sports headlines.

My mom brings up something in the news and I can finish her sentence because we both read the same WSJ article.

I’ve convinced myself that’s it’s moderate (debatable), accurate (how would I know it’s all I read) and providing me some insights I’ll make a decision on.

If I look at the biggest decisions I’ve made and people met in the last 10 years, none of them were remotely impacted by something I read in the Wall Street Journal.

But this is not a WSJ problem. This issue would sustain no matter which global news publication read.

We like to be informed about what’s going on in the world around us, yet it is more likely to scare than enable to make a positive decision. There is a fine line where being informed and meets involved.

On the the flip side, locally in Charlotte, I could not be less informed.

I wasted 10 hours of my life on the New York City election (lots of YouTube) and I don’t even know if the Charlotte mayor is a man or woman let alone any policies they have.

Today I canceled my WSJ subscription and signed up for the Charlotte Business Journal.

My goals are simple: have a better understanding of what’s in Charlotte and learn about then meet impactful people.

I’ll have access to all the articles online and we’ll get a print version which Amy will use more than me. Family win.

What Else is Taking Up My Attention

 🍅 The Easiest App for Sharing Recipes with Friends

I caught up with my cousins Emma and Anna in New York this month and Emma shared a new app she created to make it easier to send recipes to friends. Simple straightforward onboarding and a feed that without all the distractions other social media brings. Install Bite Club and share a recipe. 

🦉 There’s an Owl in the Chicken Coop

Sam posted this farmer anecdote, it went viral on Instagram + Meta and the chickens are safe (for now).

🥁 Big Bass

Jon Bellion was one of my favorite artists then went in hibernation for 6 years to have three sons and from it all emerged his album FATHER FIGURE. I challenge you to only listen to this one time.

Christmas List Edition : CANCELLED

There were no submissions for items plus I found some good ones I can just refer to myself. Check these lists out from Tim Ferris and Andrew Yeung. Maybe next year.

Grandma’s Corner

Instead of biohacking our phone maybe just turn the thing off.