Moving Mountains

Understanding Understanding: Letter 1

At the top of a mountain the air is thin.

Tops of mountains aren’t made for us to stay. They exist to let us know we’ve made it. That the hard work was worth it. But tops of mountains aren’t made for us to stay. When we arrive, our departure begins. A dichotomous acknowledgement of the effort it took to reach this place, while also contemplating what path we’ll take next. For tops of mountains aren’t made for us to stay. And in fact, it’s what we do after we reach this place that will matter most. Because in the end, the tops of mountains aren’t made for us to stay.

600 days have passed since ending my time as CEO of Sub Rosa. The intervening months have been complex. Anyone who’s dedicated years of their life to something they care for knows the unraveling of attachment is disorienting. And disorienting it was. But it has also been beautiful. It’s given me time to make myself a priority. To get quiet and listen to what I want for this next part of my life. To consider the options I’ve never thought to consider. And here I am, 600 days later, surefooted and clear-minded. Writing this letter to you.

What makes me feel most fulfilled?

I must’ve asked myself that question hundreds of times over the past months. And in those contemplative moments I continually came back to the same answer. To help others grow. 

Whether an individual, a team, an organization, a community, or even a movement, helping others grow is the work I’m here to do. Those who know me won’t be surprised to find that empathy still drives me. As I continue to share my book, Applied Empathy, with audiences who want to embody this skill, I’ve joined a handful of for-profit and not-for-profit boards, deepening my relationship with leaders who push themselves to grow with intention and integrity. Along the way and in spite of the pesky pandemic, I’ve maintained my alternative medicine practice, supporting people in healing themselves. And I’ve been writing. Mostly I’ve been writing about the idea of purpose and more specifically, how with a strong sense of empathy (not only for others but also for ourselves), we can access the inner, most essential voice that gives us purpose. It is here that we find the motivation to climb down one mountain and begin another. 

Understanding Understanding is a bi-monthly letter where I will share insights gathered from the world around us. Most of them won’t be as autobiographical as this one. When I can, I’ll include information about the leaders and initiatives I’ve been advising, as well as opportunities for collaboration, investment, workshops, retreats, and more. Those of you who follow my posts in social media know I am fond of odd news and poignant writing from people I admire. Those will find a home here too.

If you’re curious about what I’m working on, you can find regular updates here. And for those of you interested in events and offerings for individuals and groups, you can read more about them here. 

Most importantly, this letter is an invitation to stay in touch. Connection makes communities resilient and I’m keenly interested in knowing more about you, what you’re seeking to understand, and how I can be helpful. Consider these letters a little electrical pulse through the network between us. To let you know I’m still out here. Thinking about you. And us. And what lies ahead on the next mountain. 

Take good care,

Michael

Happenings

Events, talks, workshops, retreats…

Note: I am not involved in all of these events, only the ones where I specify so in the description.

THE FUTURE OF FASHION: NEXT-GEN MATERIALS
New York, 4/19, 6:30-8:30pm

An evening with the wizards leading the next generation of the material science movement - MycoWorks, House of Fluff & HSUS. To RSVP email info [at] thisisorbit [dot] com

FUTURE OF WORK DISCUSSION
New York, 4/25, 6-8PM ET

Thanks to the good humans at Kindred, I’ll be speaking alongside my friend and collaborator Dr. Marcus Collins at New York’s NeueHouse on April 25th. RSVP here to hang in the real world!

OFFICE HOURS
Virtual, 4/27, 12PM ET

Here’s something I’m trying out. Not sure how it’ll go but I’m offering monthly ‘office hours’ via Zoom. This is drop in only. Sometimes there will be others there and we’ll have a group conversation. Other times it might just be you and I.
My door is open, all you have to do is walk through.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Super grateful to be included in a conversation with some of my favorite creators, talking about the role of art and artists in the commercial world. Thanks to the godmother of this idea, the one and only Val Carlson and the ever-inspiring Shantell Martin for bringing all of us (Heidi Berg, Ari Kuschnir, and lucky ol’ me) together. Drop a Webby vote for the program here and here.

opportunities

Talent, jobs, investments, collabs, and more…

If you or someone you know is interested in making a move or if you’d like to share a need in this section on a future letter, drop me a line. It takes a village.

My friends at Boldr are looking for a new People Ops leader.

A stealth start-up in the pet category is looking to fill two roles: Executive Editor and Head of Design.

Empirical Spirits is founded by a couple ex-NOMA folks doing amazing things in the spirits category. I’ve been an investor for a few years and they are about to open up a new round.

Anyone looking for a sharp, super experienced CMO to join their team? I have a few good pals looking to make moves.

If you want more info about any of these, drop me a line.

ephemera

Workplace culture, jellyfish, rocks, retired old men…

Things I’ve shared or picked up while meandering around the internet.

Hybrid workin’ got ya down? Here are some top tips I shared with Daybase about how to keep your culture together while your team is apart.

The giant phantom jellyfish (Stygiomedusa gigantea) has only been observed in the wild roughly 100 times since its discovery over a century ago. Here’s a video of this deep sea wonder at work.

Check out this museum outside of Tokyo that only exhibits rocks that look like faces.

Sometimes you learn about a new word that gives you a peek at what you’re going to be like when you get older. Umarell might be one of those words.

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