The ancient Stoics wrote often about character. Ryan Holiday carries that torch in Right Thing, Right Now, arguing that character—not talent, wealth, or luck—is what truly defines a person. The Wizard of Menlo Park shows the same by Thomas Edison’s character. Character is internal. It’s who you are when no one’s watching. Edison’s story isn’t […]
Thomas Edison’s Character: The Legacy Behind the Name Read More »
No. 285 June 13, 2025 Welcome to this week’s Friday Five: insights, inspiration, and a few personal favorites to kick off your weekend. Music of the Week Terius Gray—better known as Juvenile—got his start in New Orleans and began rapping at just 11 years old. A few favorites from his catalog: 400 Degreez, Bling Bling,
Friday Five – Be who you imagine, Try to have a good past, Don’t stay down Read More »
May had five Fridays, which gave me extra time to finish an additional book. Here’s my May reading list—a well-rounded mix of philosophy, business, fiction, personal growth, and golf instruction: For everything I’ve read this year—including these five—check out my full reading lists [HERE]. Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the
May Reading List: 5 Best Books I Read in May 2025 Read More »
In 2004, Jeff Bezos wrote something in Amazon’s shareholder letter that offers a free cash flow lesson that could’ve saved Thomas Edison decades of financial strain: “Our ultimate financial measure, and the one we most want to drive over the long term, is free cash flow per share.” At first glance, it’s a dry, nearly
Free Cash Flow Lesson from Thomas Edison: Why Cash Is King Read More »
No. 284 June 7, 2025 Welcome to this week’s Friday Five: insights, inspiration, and a few personal favorites to kick off your weekend. Music of the Week Lake Street Dive was formed in the mid-2000s in Boston. Founding band members include Rachael Price, Mike Olson, Bridget Kearney, and Mike Calabrese. Keyboardist Akie Bermiss joined the
Welcome to this week’s Friday Five: insights, inspiration, and a few personal favorites to kick off your weekend. Music of the Week 311 (Omaha’s finest) — Omaha is more than just Berkshire Hathaway HQ. It’s also home to 311, the band behind tracks like Amber, Beautiful Disaster, and Love Song. Formed in the ’80s, their
Friday Five: Change Your Mind, Simplify, Try Again, Break Dependencies, Repeat Read More »
Ryan Holiday’s Ego Is the Enemy argues that our greatest obstacles are often internal, rooted in selfishness, pride, and self-importance. The Wizard of Menlo Park offers a vivid, real-world example of this principle through the story of Thomas Edison’s ego. Thomas Edison’s ego shaped both his triumphs and his troubles. He struggled to acknowledge competitors,
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Music of the Week Hailing from Pennsylvania, Breaking Benjamin is a rock band formed in the late 1990s. The band was formed by Benjamin Burnley (lead singer, guitar) and Jeremy Hummel (drummer). Breaking Benjamin’s lineup has changed over the years. It’s currently composed of Benjamin Burnley, Aaron Bruch (bassist, backup vocalist), Keith Wallen (guitarist, backup
Friday Five – Quality over quantity, Taking a break, Work and don’t worry Read More »
According to The Wizard of Menlo Park, Thomas Edison’s happiness stemmed from three core principles: working on large-scale projects, immersing himself completely in his work, and maintaining control over the decision-making process. Thomas Edison’s happiness was fueled by action. He found joy in tackling massive, complex problems. Whether inventing the phonograph or building an electric
Thomas Edison’s Happiness: Work, Willpower, and Big Ideas Read More »
There’s a saying by former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink: Discipline equals freedom. The more discipline you have, the more freedom you gain. Thomas Edison lived this truth. As The Wizard of Menlo Park reveals, discipline wasn’t just part of Edison’s approach—it was foundational. At times, it defined him. At other times, it nearly undid him.
How Thomas Edison’s Discipline Shaped a Legacy of Innovation Read More »