Answering Quora Questions Drove Early Customers, Not Ads
Parseur launched to crickets. First customers came from Quora. Not blasting links. Just honestly answering questions about the best solution. The chat widget was priceless for talking to people trying the product live. https://t.co/KKv1wTZ21q
Pre‑tariff Import Rush Skews Trade‑deficit Perception
In early 2025, firms rushed imports ahead of the new tariffs, temporarily widening the trade deficit and building inventories. By late 2025-early 2026, trade flows smoothed back out. Comparisons to the earlier surge misleadingly suggest a sharp decline in the...
Loss Sparks Innovation: Southwest's 10‑minute Turnarounds
This is one of my favorite examples that didn’t make it into the final version of Inside the Box. Link in bio if you would like to pre-order. In 1972, Southwest was almost out of money and had to sell one...
Patreon Podcasters Earn $629M, up 33% in 2025
Patreon Says Podcasters Earned $629 Million in 2025, Up 33%, as Platform’s Biggest Content Category Keeps Growing https://t.co/kqWJ4iFyPm
Ellison Distrusts Jeff, Predicts His Exit After Merger
33 days ago at @PuckNews: "Sources... have told me that David [Ellison] no longer trusts Jeff, and suspects him of being involved in various leaks to the press and others during his time as president. Those same sources believe Jeff is...
Hormuz Still Blocked; Shippers Await Post‑ceasefire Safety
The Strait of Hormuz appeared to remain largely blocked on Wednesday, as shipowners try to understand if they can safely transit the vital waterway following a ceasefire between the US and Iran that was announced overnight https://t.co/zdoetY8L6Y
Most CISOs Ignore Mythos Alerts; Threats Arrive Within Nine Months
Curious how many large organization CISO offices have taken the Mythos red team reports as the red alert that it is. (I suspect very few) Based on historical trends in AI they have, at most, about six to nine months until...
Joe Zappa Shares Sharp Pen Journey and Adtech Outlook
Turned the tables on @joe_zappa for once this week on the pod and put him in the interviewee seat. Really good conversation about his journey w/ Sharp Pen, the state of adtech marketing, and more. Link below.
YouTube Tests Auto-Speed to Save Viewers' Time
YouTube is testing a feature called Auto-Speed that automatically adjusts video playback rates to save time without losing comprehension. It's exclusive to Premium subscribers until April 27.
Core Update Completed—Check Your Rankings Now
🚨 The rollout March 2026 core update was completed today (April 8, 2026). It's time to check your rankings/visibility/organic search traffic shift 👀 https://t.co/qsYSPpXZfz
Market Positioning Shapes Policy, Fuels Relief Rally
Since we now live in a reflexive world where policy is often set based on price signals, you could make the argument that market structure and positioning can drive policy. Market positioning was primed to see a relief rally and...
Steve Keen Warns Looming Global Crash From Debt Deflation
Steve Keen has a track record of predictions and almost all of them point to the same thing - global crash worse than 2008 is coming (2026) - private debt at 170% of GDP will trigger it - deflation will destroy demand, not inflation -...
Insurers Must Redesign for Autonomous AI, Not Upgrade Legacy
Most insurers think they’re getting ready for AI. They’re not. They’re preparing for a version of AI that improves yesterday’s operating model, not one that reshapes tomorrow’s business. That’s the mistake. The real shift in insurance is not about layering AI onto existing workflows....
Trump Threatens Iran Tariffs without Legal Authority
Trump just threatened tariffs over Iran but also he doesn't have the authority to levy such tariffs. So there's that. Just astonishing we have to deal with this bullshit artist.
Iran Ceasefire Sparks Risk‑On Rally, Tech Oversold Gains
Look forward to discussing this risk-on market post the Iran ceasefire news and what this means for the oversold tech sector looking ahead on @CNBCClosingBell at 3:35 pm with @ScottWapnerCNBC @CNBC 🏆🍿📺🎯🐂
Great Leaders Are Grown, Not Hired, Through Purpose
Jam started as a server in 2015. Today she’s an area manager mentoring the next generation. 11 years ago we were both figuring it out. She chose to grow with us, and we chose to invest in her. If you show...
Foreign Investors Flee US Treasuries for Low‑Yield Chinese Bonds
Forget US Treasuries, Chinese bonds are the new safe-haven trade Since the start of the war, foreigners have: - Dumped $82B of Treasuries - Piled into panda bonds The math makes sense: - US 10-year yield: 4.4% - China 10-year yield: 1.8% In the midst of the...
Underestimating Video Project Costs without Executive Input
Two years ago I abrubtly lost my job. I’d been hired away from a great VP of Marketing gig to stand up an ambitious video project and division. In 60 days I mapped out scripts, production plans, staffing and equipment needs,...
Clear Offer Beats Traffic: 100 Leads, 20 Sales
99% of the time, you don't need more traffic You need a clearer offer You can send: • 10k people to a confused offer for 0 sales • Or 100 people to a clear one and get 20 Fix clarity before you scale distribution
Dollar‑EM Indicator Signals Return to 2010‑13 Weakness
It's the Dollar versus EM that's been the key leading indicator for USD direction and that's now tumbling (black). We're in a new regime for the Dollar and are going back to the 2010-2013 period, when Dollar weakness was primarily...
Mearsheimer: Trump Undermines International Law, Allies, U.S. Reputation
UChicago Prof. John Mearsheimer on how Trump is damaging Uncle Sam's reputation: "Where this war really matters is how the US uses its power. The Trump administration... [is] undermining international law... international institutions and damaging its relations with allies." https://t.co/alLAlZkar7
Get More Done Without Adding Full‑Time Hires
I talked with a government contractor dealing with something many small businesses are facing right now: contract cuts, team reduction, overwhelming priority list, business development. That moment lingered with me. Because this is the reality for many. The truth is...
Seeking Ideal Publication Partners for a $16 Bundle
VERY HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION lets say that instead of paying nine bucks a month to read Extra Points, you could pay ~16ish and also get 1 or 2 other publications/paywalled podcasts. If that was possible, who would want...
Prediction Markets Now Track Hormuz Traffic, Not Ceasefire
The prediction markets have shifted from assessing when the US-Iran will reach their ceasefire to 'When will traffic at the Strait of Hormuz return to normal': https://t.co/86UZblCs7z
Tired of Meta‑only Advice; Want Alternatives for Growth
It is SUCH a bummer that every person I talk to tells me the only real path to meaningful audience growth is via Meta ads. I would rather give my money to *any* other platform.
Timing, Not Invention, Drove Sunscreen Success
1/ the harpist who killed seasonal sunscreen one of the smartest cpg moves of the last decade wasn’t inventing sunscreen. it was changing when people thought they needed it. https://t.co/kOgE7dHbc6
US Threatens 50% Tariffs on Iran‑weapon Suppliers
Getting back into the high and abrupt tariff implementation game. Threatening a 50% tariff (on goods sold to the US) on any country that supplies military weapons to Iran. That seems like it can get closer to a Section 232 approval...
VCs Pour $121M Into Male Fertility Startups
Venture capitalists poured $121 million in funding into startups focused on male fertility last year, according to data from PitchBook. One of the companies that raised money was Sperm Racing, a company that held a “sperm race” sporting event at...
Dollar Set to Tumble, Weakness Through 2026
The Dollar is tumbling as I forecast in my posts predicting a ceasefire. USD will now unwind all its rise from the past month, which was entirely due to short-term safe haven flows that'll now reverse. We're back to Dollar...
Recruiter Demand Soars as Firms Chase Top 1% Talent
The demand for recruiters is the highest it’s ever been. Opposite to what you would think given all the talk around AI taking jobs. BUT every startup / firm is not just looking to fill roles now, they’re looking for the...
The Golden Thread: Why Winners Outperform Competitors
Why Some Companies Win and Others Don’t: The Golden Thread Explained https://t.co/wMMfT87Re0 Some orgs seem to consistently outperform the competition, while others struggle to keep up no matter what. The difference isn’t luck, strategy, or resources; it’s the #GoldenThread. https://t.co/35PIypymyD
JPMorgan CEO Says AI Winners Remain Unpredictable
🔺 JPMorgan Chase CEO Dimon: We can't predict AI winners and losers yet https://t.co/MB1h3gIH1m https://t.co/iY9bYkSfk9
Bootstrapped SaaS Success Beats VC Funding at $10M ARR
Running a bootstrapped, highly profitable, cash flowing SaaS is awesome. Your VC friends just don't know. Go get $10m ARR. Everything gets easier.
Sue Bird Set to Join NBC/Peacock WNBA Analyst Team
Glass Break: Sue Bird is expected to be named as an analyst on NBC/Peacock WNBA coverage https://t.co/uyH8O2aQVR
Skip Generic Demo Questions, Ask These 10 Closing Queries
The two worst questions to ask during sales demos: 1) what questions do you have? 2) does that make sense? 10 questions to ask instead (that actually close deals):
Own Your Audience: Distribution Beats SEO Reliance
A $50M media company. 19 employees. Built from a small town. The moat wasn’t content... It was distribution. Traffic spikes are rented. Email lists are owned. If you’re still relying only on SEO, you don’t have a strategy. You have exposure. This conversation is...
Leaders Must Discern Which Self to Lead
There are two versions of you living in the same body. One needs to be protected. One was built to lead. The most important work you’ll ever do as a leader? Learning to tell the difference. Discernment is everything. Knowing which version of you...
DeeperDive Hits 7M Monthly Users, Expands Globally
7 million people are using DeeperDive every month. We launched it in September 2025. DeeperDive is emerging as one of the most used 'answer engines' in the world. Our new video is a fun look at why it’s grown so...
Higher Pay Boosts Social Media Team Performance
Pay your social media team more money. Pay your social media team more money. Pay your social media team more money.
Usability Beats Benchmarks: Build Products That Actually Work
make a product super usable and ppl will pay you for it we’re way past models maxing benchmarks - if they’re not doing actual work for you, you’re asleep at the wheel
Ceasefire Won’t Instantly Heal Supply Chain Disruptions
🧵 The US-Iran ceasefire is being called a "big day for world peace" — but the supply chain damage is already done. Here's what's broken, what it costs you, and how long it takes to fix. A thread on the...
AI-Driven App Surge Shrinks Organic Discoverability
The App Store discoverability squeeze "If the number of apps available in the App Store explodes through AI-assisted coding agents, yet the surface area for organic visibility remains fixed — or, actually, decreases, given that the second ad placement in search...
AI Agents Hired Amid a Broken Job Market
Adding on to this trash job market, wtf is this even? Hiring AI AGENTS?! Not US, but still.
Consistency Beats Constant Creation in Reel Strategy
Indie author trial reels testing mode has commenced… (does that sound official enough? 🤣) Instead of constantly creating new reels, I’m testing something different: → Same 5 reels - to the same book → Same proven caption → Same Cover Image → Posted...
Bestselling Authors Reveal Top Writing and Marketing Secrets
My friend Jay Clouse spent 3 days with 10+ NYT bestselling authors: James Clear, Vanessa Van Edwards, Amy Porterfield, Nir Eyal, Sahil Bloom and several other successful authors were there. He recently published a podcast sharing the most valuable writing and marketing...
Varsity Nears Trial in New Cheer Antitrust Case
Cheerleading News 📣 Varsity Nears Trial in Latest Cheer Antitrust Suit. Will It Proceed? https://t.co/nNl05G5PAS via @sportico @DanielLibit
Future Startups Will Raise $15M Seed for $1M Token Magic
soon we’re going to have a handful of startups that can raise $15m+ seed rounds and who can deliver a magical experience with $1m/month token budgets, then there’ll be everyone else.
Ticketing Woes Eclipse FIFA's World Cup Controversies
There are certain issues hanging over this World Cup that are bigger than FIFA. Ticketing is one thing the governing body has full control over, and it has been the subject of intense criticism from the moment the sales process...
Long Covid Will Drain OECD Economies $135 Billion Annually
Long Covid predicted to cost OECD economies $135 billion a year https://t.co/4KeKqtPpWP via @ashleighfurlong https://t.co/LDMSBeZh3Y
Outdoor Media Summit Seeks 2026 Speakers Across Industries
The Outdoor Media Summit is looking for speakers for 2026 🎤 They’re open to pitches from traditional media, entrepreneurs, content creators, and marketing professionals. These are the types of opportunities I share on my Substack 💻