I Read Way Too Much Into Children's Songs (And Regret Nothing)
At first listen all children’s songs have a similar formula: upbeat, repetitive, and sticky, but underneath those audible rainbows lurks madness.
Bassam Tarazi
Bassam Tarazi
Latest posts
The Periodic Table Of Motivation
I think people are confused about what exactly extrinsic and intrinsic motivation is, so I created this handy little chart
Am I Early, Or Am I Wrong?
I know how scary it can be of looking like a flip flopper in life, but just because you eventually changed your mind doesn’t mean you were lying to yourself at the beginning.
Never Knew My Dad
As adorable as it is, my son’s use of the words “Thank you” and “I love you” is just mirroring what we tell him, like when I tell the gate agent “You too” after they say “Have a good flight.” Sure, it’s good practice, but kids have no idea what love is in relation to the love their parents have for them. They can’t know.
When More Money Stops Making Sense
Two roads diverged in the forest. One offered more money, the other offered more time.
The 10 Best Books I Read This Year (2025)
Early in 2025, I told myself I was going to read more novels. Less history. Less science. By February, I was already halfway through a massive history of the atomic bomb. So that went well. But later in the year I clawed back with more fiction. Good thing I did because 4.5 fiction books made the list. Half ? Yes, you have Sam Kean to thank. You’ll see. In no particular order…but why not start with…
AI Will Write for You. But Will You Still Have Ideas?
If everyone uses AI to write, everything begins to sound the same. And how you sound is, more or less, how you think. If you start thinking like everyone else, you become indistinguishable from everyone else.
The Hardest Part About Being A Father
When we’re born, we begin a one-way ride—of unknown, but determinate length—on our individual conveyor belt through life. But while we all might share the same moment in time today, being parallel to someone else’s conveyor does not mean you have the same amount of track left.
So I...
You commiserate with someone to process an injustice. You complain to someone to justify inaction. At some point it's time to act.
But I...
Changing careers in your mid 40s is like signing up for freshman orientation with a mortgage and lower back pain. You’re wiser, sure—but that doesn’t stop you from feeling like a lost intern with an impressive past no one asked about, as you name-drop your own résumé just to prove you still matter. It's wild. But there's one trick to make the process smoother.
When Dreams Don't Work Out
The truth is: the majority of us will have to abandon our dreams not because of a lack of effort, but because it just didn’t work out.
Your Life Will Be Defined By This
While we enjoy your company when it's clear out, we'll know who you are when the storm arrives.
Rebuilding The Clock (Some New Years Advice)
New years resolutions suffer from being...well, new. Here's how to combat the weight of all that change.
The 10 Best Books I Read This Year (And My Least Favorite)
Back by popular demand. Here's the 2024 list and the rationale behind it
How To Get Things Done In A World Of Distraction (Me On A Podcast)
A power-packed 20-minute podcast interview that will leave your creative brain feeling fit as a butcher's dog
The Thing I Learned While Procrastinating
To write is to have an idea. That’s easy. To have written is to share a point of view. That’s hard.
How I Get Unstuck
For me, it’s seven words. And these seven words have shown their value on tough days in the hills, at work, on stage, or otherwise.
A Radio DJ's Advice I Can't Stop Thinking About
A DJ's advice turned a random Tuesday into a life lesson. Small acts, big impact.
Your Customers Don't Care About Your 'Why'
It’s time to move beyond Simon Sinek's 'Why'; Your customers care about what's in it for them
The 3 Most Important Questions To Ask Yourself
Who knew The Walking Dead would inspire the three most important questions I ask myself on a regular basis.