Shame, Stocks, and Summer Pizza Nights 🍕

Hey friends,

You might’ve noticed — I’ve been showing up in your inbox a little more lately. That’s intentional. I’m carving out space on the weekends to share what’s helping me think clearly, live better, and enjoy life a little more. Here’s what’s been on my mind, on my radar, and yes, on my back patio.

1. Something I'm wrestling with:
I’m currently reading The Soul of Shame by Dr. Curt Thompson.
Four decades into this human experience, I’m just now beginning to see how powerful shame is — in shaping our decisions, fogging our perception, and dulling our ability to experience joy. This book is peeling back layers I didn’t know were there. If you’re doing any inner work this season, this might be a powerful companion:
📘 The Soul of Shame – Amazon

2. Something I’m tracking:
If you like your market analysis with a bit of bite and brilliance, give Facts vs. Feelings a listen. Ryan Detrick and Sonu Varghese drop weekly takes that are both digestible and sharp. Their latest episode features Dan Ives — the rare voice who can make tech trends feel like a late-night monologue and a boardroom briefing, all at once.
🎧 Facts vs Feelings – Latest Episode

3. Something I’m enjoying:
Enter: the Gozney pizza oven. I’ve started experimenting with doughs, hydration levels, and wood-fire heat — and let me tell you, it’s become a bit of an obsession. If you’re looking for a way to bring friends together this summer, this thing might be your new backyard ritual. Oh, and if you have a dough recipe that consistently yields the desired results, please send it my way.
🔥 Meet the Oven

Here’s a pie I made over the weekend:

4. A project from the heart:
For the last 18 months, I’ve been quietly creating something called The Citizen — a little play on “city” and “zen.” It’s a publication I send out from Waco, TX, filled with stories that move between business, creativity, and everyday wisdom. If that sounds like your kind of thing, I’d love for you to take a look.
🗞 Explore The Citizen

Thanks for letting me share.
May your week be filled with clarity, calm, and a little melted mozzarella.