October 2025

Howdy!

In this issue: you’ll delete an app from your phone, hear a good song and start thinking about your Christmas list.

Get off your phone

When was the last time you heard someone say “I’m just not using my phone enough.”

We’re all trying to find ways to put the dern thing down.

I’ve tried several things.

• Turning the screen grayscale

• Downloading Opal

• Setting Do Not Disturb mode for time periods

• Relying on a TRMNL and a watch.

All ways that have helped me and friends limit distractions.

But have learned deleting an app altogether is the best to way truly detach.

So look at what apps used most on your phone and delete the top one you don’t truly need.

This will not delete your social medias forever. Your favorite mobile game will save all your data and welcome you back at any time. Maybe you’re a little too addicted to your favorite AI app.

I just deleted Twitter.

I’ve gotten even more glued to it after deleting Instagram. Feels good. Goal is to be off through 2025 and not pass on too much of my attention to the laptop.

Go delete something.

What Else is Taking Up My Attention

📘 A Good Book

Finishing up Play Nice But Win by Michael Dell, the absurdly humble story of the rise of Dell with a focus on their go public to private to public process from Michael Dell’s perspective. I’m enjoying not just his story, but the key characters along the way like Lee Walker, who helped mold the company in the earliest days. If your book list is already too long, Michael recounts some of the stories on the Founders podcast.

👀 You Can Only Rely on You

The more I try things, the more I realize the importance of self actualization, learning on my own and realizing if I want it done, I need to do it. He says some dumb things, but appreciated this reminder from Jason Calanacis.

🦬 Buffalo Traffic Jam

My cousin Nate is in a rock-folk duo, Buffalo Traffic Jam that’s popping off after a slew of singles and now their first EP Take Me Home. Got the chance to catch up with him and more fam this month and he shared the’ll headline a tour in the Spring, hoping to catch a show!

Christmas List Edition Next Month

Next month, I’m going to create a list of gift ideas. Goal is to support peeps who read as well as other brands I like. Reply to this email with any products under $200 you want eyes on.

Searching for Investors

Multiple folks on this list have asked about connections to early stage investors both individuals and groups. If you are interested in making connections to folks looking to do $100k - $250k early stage investments, let me know!

Grandma’s Corner

See the additional comments on my uncle giving it his all to make the Boston Marathon by TWO seconds.