No. 286 June 20, 2025
Welcome to this week’s Friday Five: insights, inspiration, and a few personal favorites to kick off your weekend.
Music of the Week
This week, I revisited the music and legacy of Jimmy Buffett—the laid-back king of “island escapism.” Known for hits like Margaritaville, Come Monday, and Cheeseburger in Paradise, Buffett built a tropical rock empire that celebrated slowing down and chasing what you love. Who doesn’t love that? Beyond music, he turned that lifestyle into a brand, spanning restaurants, resorts, and bestselling books. Buffett sold over 20 million records and was inducted posthumously into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Quotes of the Week
“It doesn’t matter how fast you move if it’s in a worthless direction. Picking the right thing to work on is the most important element of productivity and usually almost ignored.” – Sam Altman
“I make sure to leave enough time in my schedule to think about what to work on. The best ways for me to do this are reading books, hanging out with interesting people, and spending time in nature.” – Sam Altman
“I try to be ruthless about saying no to stuff, and doing non-critical things in the quickest way possible.” – Sam Altman
“You have to figure out what your own aptitudes are. If you play games where other people have the aptitudes and you don’t, you’re going to lose. And that’s as close to certain as any prediction that you can make.” – Charlie Munger
“I’m no genius. I’m smart in spots—but I stay around those spots.” – Tom Watson Sr.
Articles of the Week
Character—not talent, luck, or wealth—is what defined Thomas Edison. This piece explores how Edison didn’t just invent the light bulb or the phonograph—he built and protected a name that came to mean something. Like the Stoics, he believed your reputation is your legacy, and he lived every day to uphold it.
👉 Read the full article here
Book of the Week
The Tao of Warren Buffett by Mary Buffett & David Clark
This quick, insightful read distills Warren Buffett’s most memorable quotes, blending investing wisdom with life philosophy. Each quote is paired with a short explanation and real-world example, making Buffett’s common-sense approach feel accessible and immediately applicable. It’s sharp, entertaining, and a great reminder that simple principles, consistently applied, win in the long run. Buffett is simply the best.
Podcasts of the Week
This week, I went down the SmartLess rabbit hole—a comedy and conversation podcast hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett. Each episode kicks off with a surprise guest reveal, followed by a relaxed, often hilarious interview. I laugh out quite a bit listening to these guys.
Some recent favorites: Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Adam Scott, Steve Carell, Kenan Thompson, Kristen Wiig, and John Mulaney. If you’re into smart banter, ball-busting, and behind-the-scenes stories from Hollywood’s funniest people, SmartLess delivers.
Enjoyed this? Hit reply and let me know what resonated — or forward to a friend who might like it too.
Until next week,
Michael
