Why You're Receiving This "Friends Only" Email

As I've shared many times over the years, the notion of being "self-made" is both toxic and bullshit. Nobody achieves anything meaningful alone.

I am Community Made through and through. My life has the fingerprints of others all over it.

You're receiving this because YOU are someone who has contributed meaningfully to the storyline of my life. Whether you made a meaningful introduction, opened a door I couldn't see, provided support during a challenge, kept me grounded through friendship, shared wisdom at the perfect moment, or simply were there when it mattered.

You’ve invested in me and shaped my journey in some way. For that reason, it feels natural to want to provide you with an update on how your "investment" is doing. 😉

Also, as a philosophy, I have little desire to add more friends to my life. Growing my follower count carries no appeal. Instead, I'd rather nurture the beautiful relationships I already have.

Four things to note about these updates:

• There is no opt-in, but you can opt out: This isn't a newsletter with an automated list. I manually add each person because I genuinely want to keep them in my orbit. You're here by my specific intention, not because some software scraped your email. That said, I value your inbox – if these don't serve you, unsubscribe anytime. No hard feelings.
  

• They're rare and crafted with intent: Every email takes 10-20 hours to craft because I write them myself, without generative AI. I often record accompanying videos as well so you can hear the stories directly from me.
  

• No pressure to engage: If you feel drawn to reply or share what's happening in your world, I'd love that! But if you simply glance and move on, that's equally wonderful. Zero expectations.
  

• They're meant to be useful: By sharing openly (managing debilitating anxiety, business going to zero overnight, navigating the addictions of a loved one), perhaps something from my journey might help you navigate yours.
  

We're all just companions on this often chaotic, reliably unpredictable experience called life.

If you ever need to navigate something I've already worked through, lean on me. I mean it. I've walked these roads, and being able to help someone else through them is what makes the struggle worth it. Being a friend – especially to those who hold a special place in my heart (that's YOU) – is one of my greatest honors.

Looking forward to crossing paths again soon.