Hi Everyone,

Happy Friday! Thanks for spending part of it reading The Lake Street Journal.

Ben Wilson on The Greats Podcast

I've been a Ben Wilson fan for a long time. And while I love his podcast, I actually prefer listening to him as a guest on other podcasts. I found a great one this week.

Ben and the host discuss four different leaders in detail - Napoleon, Caesar, Alexander Hamilton, Hitler, and Jesus. Ben shares excellent examples of leadership from each and is able to compare and contrast them in a way that is incredibly valuable for any student of leadership.

Ben's episode on Alexander Hamilton was incredible, and getting to hear him talk more about Hamilton here is another reminder of how I need to dig into the Chernow biography.

If you love Ben Wilson, history, or leadership, you'll enjoy this conversation.

Turning Point - Generation 9/11

I spent some time on the treadmill this week, which means I also spent some time watching Netflix this week.

With the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaching, I really appreciated this documentary about 9/11 and how it has shaped our country in the subsequent 25 years.

The first half of the documentary is about the day itself, and there are a bunch of heart wrenching stories. They hurt to hear, but I think they're important to hear so we never forget what happened that day.

A few quotes towards the beginning really hit me hard.

"We're at a moment in American life when the moments of 9/11 are beginning to slip, meaningfully, from living memory into history."

I was nine years old on 9/11. I was on a family vacation on the Jersey Shore, and I remember watching the live broadcast and seeing the smoke slowly creep south from Manhattan like a drink spilled on a tablecloth.

Events drifting from living memory into history is something every generation experiences. Pearl Harbor. D-Day. JFK's assassination. Columbine. It's just something I hadn't really experienced yet. 9/11 still feels very real and very close to me, so it's weird to hear those words.

Another quote from an oral historian stuck with me. She said:

"If you're trying to have hope for a generation, I think helping them understand what happened is an important part of creating good for the future. When these people become real and this event becomes personal, that's the most powerful way to understand what this was and why it mattered."

I think, subconsciously, that's why I devour stories of 9/11. I know this is one of the most important historical events of my lifetime. And I want to understand what is was and why it mattered. The most natural way for me to do that is to read the stories of the people affected by that terrible day. If you feel the same way, you'll appreciate this documentary.

You're Going to Need Slack

This is a short article about parenting, but the philosophy applies to life in general. It's one I try to practice and always kick myself when I don't.

Here's the idea: things come up all the time. Unexpected things. Things that cost money or take time or require attention. If you're stretched to the max on your budget, your calendar, or your brain, you won't be able to handle those unexpected things.

So what's the philosophy? Build in a buffer. Have more than you need. Plan on the plan not going according to plan. Keep more in savings than seems reasonable. Schedule less on your calendar than your time allows. And save space in your day for some quiet time thinking, planning, processing. Because when you build in the buffer, you save room for the unexpected. You have the resources. You have the resilience. And life generally becomes much more manageable. Who doesn't want that?

Song of the Week

I like a lot of Zach Bryan's music. I listen to him often. This is one of his more under the radar songs, at least it seems that way from the Spotify plays. And I definitely haven't heard it on the radio. But it features Bruce Springsteen, and I love it. Hope you enjoy it too.

Quote of the Week

"The unexpected blow lands the heaviest." - Seneca

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Talk soon,

Joe