Thomas's Weekly Whims: Vol. 21

A Few Thoughts of travel nerves, an investment we are thrilled about and results from our survey.

We're boarded and officially on our way to Greece! I'm hitting publish on this post just moments before takeoff, capturing some reflections and recommendations from this past week. Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

1. Duckbill AI Investment - We've mentioned Duckbill AI, the virtual assistant we've been using to achieve more tasks at home and in life. The process is simple: AI collects your task details, clarifies specifics through tailored questions, and conducts initial research. Then a human copilot— usually specialized in the relevant area— steps in to handle calls, emails, and finalize the task. We have been using extensively and have been impressed, so after hearing additional similarly positive feedback from others, we explored ways to get involved. This marks our second technology startup investment in the past year, following our investment in ShopMy last December. Investing in tech startups feels surreal, especially since my college dream was to become a technology venture capitalist. It reminds me that paths to dreams rarely run straight; what's essential is continual progress, momentum, and learning. If you want to give Duckbill a try they have given us a special offer to share of 50% off the first 2 months on any membership tier. You can use the code JULIA50 or use the link here.

2. Travel Nerves - "Excited" isn’t quite the right word for how I feel before significant trips, even though I’m often asked if I am. The truth is, excitement only sets in once we're safely checked into our hotel or house. Despite detailed planning, I feel immense responsibility to ensure my family reaches our destination smoothly. Each small milestone during travel— checking bags, security, bathroom stops well timed before boarding— slowly alleviates my stress. When we finally arrive, months of accumulated tension ease away with the first sip of a well-deserved beer as I figure out the wifi password.

3. Old Dog, New Tricks - Julia and I have been together for 15 years, and nothing excites me quite like hearing her casually mention she’s learning a new video editing tool, CapCut. Traditionally, we've joked that Julia is an Old Dog because she’s resistant to new tricks, while I eagerly dive into every new tool available— often urging her to switch things up. If there’s anything I’ve learned, if Julia is going to switch it up she’s got to be the one that comes to that conclusion.

4. AI Lite - Recently, I've been reflecting on the balance between authenticity and AI-driven efficiency. Simon Sinek (on this podcast) put it perfectly: because so much content is now overly polished and uniform, genuine imperfections become signs of authenticity. Our brains naturally discount overly polished, cookie-cutter content as inauthentic or impersonal. My approach now?

• Shorter, authentic content beats long, polished AI output.

• Research with AI, but write in my voice.

• Always refine drafts to ensure humanity shines through, guided by continuous follow-up prompts.

• Lean into more raw, personable video content— imperfections and all.

5. Irrigation Setup - I posted a note earlier this week about how I setup drip irrigation to the plants on our porch before we leave. Drip is one of the best investments you can make in your garden for the health of your plants and for your time. Plants with the right amount of moisture grow faster, are less stressed and are at less pess risk compared to plants that are intermittently watered when you remember to do it. This is especially important for potted plants. I found this set that’s specifically marketed for porch planter setup, the biggest appeal of this kit are the push to connect adapters make setup and adjustments so much easier.. And it just connects to a hose faucet nearby using a simple timer, these Orbit timers are easy to use, inexpensive and reliable. If you will still need access to your hose outlet I suggest one of these splitters.

6. Learning from the Reader Survey Thanks again to everyone who participated in last week's survey (we had hundreds of responses!). Your insights will help us create more personally engaging content. Key takeaways include:

• Video - It seems that the Substack video format is a hit and we will be really leaning into this more. Ideal watch times are 8-15 minutes which are shorter than our usual videos so I’ll do my best to trim down videos where possible or create videos around more narrow topics.

• Personality mix - When asked who you preferred content from I was pleasantly surprised to read most seem to be enjoying the trade off and different perspectives.

• Travel tips topped both the “most valuable” and “want more of” questions, closely followed by behind-the-scenes family stories.

• I’ll be sharing Deep Dives less frequently. We are always trying to deliver value to our readers. But longer post don’t always translate to more value.

7. DJI Mic - With video content rising in importance, I've upgraded our audio setup using DJI's wireless mics. Set up couldn't be easier: the transmitter attaches directly to clothing, and the receiver connects simply via USB-C. Hope you enjoy the improvement.

8. Triple Win Activities - I squeezed in one last Pickleball night and a Sunday run before our summer travels. Reflecting on these activities highlighted why I prioritize them— they're healthy, social, and fun. These "Triple Win Activities" should feature more in everyone's routines. Consider group workouts, walks, hikes, casual lunches, or even shared cold plunges or sauna sessions.

9. Water Bounce House - Summer at our home means water bounce house season. The one we bought for Clemmie's 5th birthday continues to be a hit, providing essential entertainment on school-free days. If you're exploring similar fun, there are plenty of budget-friendly options available.

10. Hormozi + Modern Wisdom - Two of my favorite podcasters, Alex Hormozi and Modern Wisdom, recently teamed up again. This four-hour episode is packed with the kind of insights and personal reflections I love to noodle on afterward.

    One thought that really stuck: our brains catastrophize the downside and underplay the upside. Whether you’re switching jobs or launching a business, the numbers are almost always in your favor. When the potential downside feels paralyzing, Alex recommends a simple “play-it-out” exercise—imagine the worst-case scenario, then map out exactly how you’d handle it. What you’ll realize is that you’ll always have options and it’s ok to change your mind and pivot.