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No. 316 | January 16, 2026
Welcome to this week’s Friday Five—a short dose of insights, inspiration, and favorites to start your weekend with clarity and focus.
Music of the Week
Danny Barker was a New Orleans jazz musician, vocalist, and author.
Born into a family of musicians, Barker first started on clarinet and drums before settling on the ukulele—and eventually the banjo.
His career spanned from the 1930s through the 1990s, touring the U.S. with a wide range of groups.
Start with Charleston, Billy Bailey, and Bye Bye Blackbird to get acquainted with his sound:
Quotes of the Week
The proper use of judgment means focusing on what you can control—your thoughts, actions, and responses—and ignoring what you can’t. These quotes capture that idea:
“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” — Epictetus
“Men are disturbed not by things, but by the views which they take of things.” — Seneca
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” — Steve Jobs
Article of the Week
“Repetition is the mother of skill.” — Zig Ziglar
Ask Why, Then Wow Customers: Tony Hsieh Zappos Lessons explores the importance of asking why—and building something that truly impresses customers.
Most people arrive at the same conclusion when they ask themselves why they’re doing what they’re doing: they want to find happiness.
That theme runs through Delivering Happiness. Another is the idea of building products and experiences that ‘wow’ customers.
At Zappos, wowing customers meant creating an emotional, personal connection, not just efficiently managing a transaction.
For more on asking why, wowing customers, and lessons from Delivering Happiness, read my article below:
📝 Ask Why, Then Wow Customers: Tony Hsieh Zappos Lessons
Book of the Week
1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History—and How It Shattered a Nation takes you inside the chaos between Wall Street and Washington.
It’s a story of money, power, psychology, and the illusion that ‘this time is different,’ as told through the lens of the biggest market crash in history.
The book helps explain speculation, financial upheaval, and the warning signs people ignore during market manias.
For more on the 1929 crash, the characters involved, and what we can learn today, read the book below:
📚 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History–and How It Shattered a Nation
Podcast of the Week
Ron Shaich is an entrepreneur and investor, and the founder and former chairman of Au Bon Pain and Panera Bread.
He’s now chairman of CAVA and the author of the excellent book Know What Matters.
Shaich joined The Knowledge Project to discuss the origins of Au Bon Pain and Panera, what you should focus on (and avoid), what most people get wrong in business, why the best people obsess over details, and how to use obsession to your advantage.
For more on Shaich, the companies he built, and his business philosophies, listen to the podcast below:
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