Day 31 of the 7-40 ChallengeSaturday, January 31, 2026 I've been carrying a book title in my head for five years: The Light Bearer. Not just the title. A specific scene. A climactic moment I could see clearly—the kind of scene that makes you think, "That would be an amazing book if I could figure out … Continue reading The Light Bearer: How Daily Creativity Unlocks Dormant Ideas
The Art of Asking (for Feedback): What Amanda Palmer’s TED Talk Teaches Us About Preparation
Day 30 of the 7-40 ChallengeFriday, January 30, 2026 "Put in the time. Your ideas are worth the effort." That's Carmine Gallo in Talk Like TED, talking about the preparation that goes into great speeches. I'm on Day 30 of the 7-40 Challenge, reading Gallo's book, and learning that what separates good ideas from great ones … Continue reading The Art of Asking (for Feedback): What Amanda Palmer’s TED Talk Teaches Us About Preparation
Today I Learned It Has a Name: Day 29 and the Power of Pathos
Day 29 of the 7-40 ChallengeThursday, January 29, 2026 I'm reading Carmine Gallo's Talk Like TED, and today I learned something that made me laugh. Aristotle called it "pathos." I've been calling it "finding the hook." Same thing. What Pathos Actually Means Pathos is the emotional appeal in a presentation. It's the moment when the audience … Continue reading Today I Learned It Has a Name: Day 29 and the Power of Pathos
Do Not Grow Weary: Day 28 and the Setback That Won’t Stop Me
Day 28 of the 7-40 ChallengeWednesday, January 28, 2026 "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up."— Galatians 6:9 Yesterday, I wrote about the rules that make excellence possible. I laid out my seven daily habits—the clear structure that … Continue reading Do Not Grow Weary: Day 28 and the Setback That Won’t Stop Me
The Rules That Make Excellence Possible: Day 27
Day 27 of the 7-40 ChallengeTuesday, January 27, 2026 I'm reading Carmine Gallo's book Talk Like TED right now, and in Chapter 1, he asks a question that stopped me on my walk this morning: "What makes your heart sing?" The answer came immediately: Being a husband to to my bride. Being a father to my son. … Continue reading The Rules That Make Excellence Possible: Day 27
