something special is coming your way...

Dear friends,

I have been working on something dear to my heart for the past two months: a zine titled “Untethered: How Wanderers Travel”. And it’s almost here.

The word “zine” doesn’t quite do it justice. It’s a curated collage that combines prose, poetry, pictures, and powerful reflections on travel and renewal. Forty-four pages that weave stories of exploration, discovery, and personal transformation.

The collection is enriched with words from five talented writers that I am indebted to.

Simone Stolzoff

(of Wall Street Journal & The New York Times fame),

Michelle Varghoose

(our very own sabbatical celebrity and podcaster),

Caryn

(former Foster connecter-in-chief and multitalented artist),

Emily Ann Hill

(globetrotting graphic designer who’s been nomad-ing for three years) and

Matt Yao

(surfer, sculptor of words, former PM, and host of two podcasts).

You've already had a taste of what's to come, with the two teaser posts—isn’t it unwise and saltwater salvation—I’ve published over the last few weeks. To whet your appetite even more, here’s a snippet and visual from the intro.

There won't be any more sneak peeks until the big reveal. So, keep your eyes on your inbox for the official launch announcement.

🥁behind the scenes

History suggests physical libraries existed long before we had Spotify. I know that to be true, but I don’t know how writers worked without music at their fingertips. Music is pretty essential to my creative process. Imagine being in the kitchen, eyeing the fancy Dutch oven on the top-shelf, just barely out of reach. Now, picture someone offering a step-ladder to aid your grasp. That’s what the right music does for me—it dissolves mental friction, allowing words to effortlessly slide onto the page.

Or it grabs the mic and gets the party started. When I’m in the zone writing, I dance at my seat. There’s too much happening to sit still. My headphones feeding sweet nectar right into my brainstem. My shoulders swaying and head bobbing in agreement with the beat. My fingers racing to turn melodies into words that make sense. I often wonder—would a different playlist give birth to a different narrative?

Today’s post was fueled by the incredibly talented Olivia Dean—specifically her Live at the Jazz cafe set. It’s difficult not to be moved by such music—the horns, the intricate jazz notes, and the soulful blues. Give it a listen if you have a spare minute.

🧡 thanks for reading

PS - if you enjoyed this piece, please let me know by liking the heart button. Muchas gracias!