The Bravest Thing on the Menu
Michael Bungay Stanier recounts a ten‑day trip to the Azores where he and friends ate simple, wood‑grilled whole fish seasoned only with rock salt, olive oil and lemon. The minimalist preparation impressed him more than any gourmet experience, prompting a reflection on how over‑complication clouds both food and work. He argues that the bravest move in any creative endeavor is to strip away excess, letting the core product shine. The piece uses the fish lesson as a metaphor for business leaders who habitually add layers instead of focusing on essential value.
You and Your Two Wolves
Michael Bungay Stanier highlights Eric’s new book *How a Little Became a Lot*, which grew from the *One You Feed* podcast. The book uses the classic two‑wolf fable to explore how we nurture either uplifting or draining relationships. Stanier urges readers...
Loving Your People
Michael Bungay Stanier outlines a personal networking system based on Robin Dunbar’s 150‑friend theory, dividing his contacts into three circles—D15, D50 and D150. He commits to bi‑weekly calls with his 15 closest friends, twice‑yearly meet‑ups with the next 50, and annual...
Add a Familiar and a Little Weird
Michael Bungay Stanier reflects on two decades of mastermind groups, emphasizing that mixing people who feel familiar with those who seem a little weird drives both personal happiness and professional success. He describes his current circles—author collectives, writing squads, thinking groups,...