Creative Resolutions
I don't know about you, but each year I find myself challenged by the act of coming up with a worthy resolution for the New Year, so I return to those penned by Woody Guthrie in 1943 as a spark and a guide for mine – even if I
Russ Stoddard
What if Charity Shouldn't Be Optimized?
I read this superb article, "What if Giving Shouldn't Be Optimized," by Emma Goldberg of the New York Times, which I'm sharing with you via a gift link. (How's THAT for giving 😉.)
It explores something I've wrestled with over 4+
Branding Crossroads: Should a Provocative Newsletter Name Be Rebranded?
Last week I provided a recap of my progress in building a newsletter business, and I got an interesting response.
A couple of you commiserated with me about how hard it is to grow a subscriber base. Apparently, this is not an isolated challenge.
One reader really piqued my interest
Newsletter Business Update
December, and almost at year’s finish line 🏁, so it must be time for a semi-regular update on the progress of building a newsletter business here at Godspeed.
(For new subscribers, (Subscribers = Speeders?), this might be your first update – and when I say they occur semi-regular, I mean semi-regular almost
Illustrating Pentagram's AI (Mid)Journey
Pentagram, the world's largest independent design agency, recently showcased its work in creating performance.gov on behalf of the U.S. Federal Government. The work was led by design icon Paula Scher. More noteworthy than Scher's involvement was her team's use of an AI
A Buttery Soft Impact Story
I first wrote about Boll & Branch early in its existence, circa 2016, publishing an interview with Scott Tannen who, along with his wife Missy, founded the maker of luxury organic bedding, sheets, and towels.
I was fascinated by their desire to understand and trace the product origin, their desire
Give it up for Marce the Recycler
As today is Giving Tuesday, our through line centers on the generous act of transferring our time, talent, or treasure to those in need. Let's go!
Meet Sara Samaniego, aka Marce the Recycler. Sara is an influencer who promotes the act of recycling from her hometown of Bogotá,
Brand Pivot: Jaguar Rebrand Crashes
I occasionally write about branding — that's how I earned my pay for 3+ decades —and licked my chops to write about Tropicana's recent rebrand debacle — not that I'm into schadenfreude or anything — it's just that I find it fascinating and hilarious how
In Search of Safe Haven
Awhile back I wrote about climate havens and the diminishing belief that we can find geographic locations beyond the reach of climate change’s more hostile effects.
Ever since, I’ve had that second word, havens or, more specifically, haven, fluttering about my brain like an elusive butterfly.
(We’ll
Self-Licking Ice Cream Cone
My wife came into the kitchen this morning with a devious smile on her face and said, “I just learned the best new phrase.”
I rejoined, “I bet I know what it is.”
She said, “What is it then?”
“Self-licking ice cream cone.”
“Ah, you listened to the same podcast!