Slow Jazz Sundays - May 26
Letting IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK float us through the holiday weekend.
There is something about this entire soundtrack that soothes my nervous system. If Beale Street Could Talk - an incredible novel by James Baldwin about a young couple and their families grappling with challenging circumstances within the conversations around race, incarceration, love, community, and sacrifice - was adapted for film by award-winning director Barry Jenkins in 2018.
I loved the movie, obviously, but I love the soundtrack even more. Nicholas Britell does an incredible job pulling the thread on dissonance at just the right times. In particular, this song brings me back to the moment that Mr. Rivers - Clementine’s dad played by Colman Domingo - said the iconic line that always makes me cry:
“These are our children, and we got to set them free.”
I’ve worked on amassing a nice record collection after David gifted me an incredible record player for Mother’s Day a few days after Brendan was born. This specific record is hard to find; there was a limited run of them pressed and they’re impossible to find in the U.S. Last Christmas, I opened a box with the customs tags from the U.K. still attached and ripped open the package to find this vinyl. Each time I think of that moment, I’m grateful for the intention and care behind James Baldwin’s words, my husband’s thoughtfulness, and the soothing ebbs and flows of dissonance and resolution with the upright bass and the oboes.
I’d love for you to share your weekly moments of gratitude and hope in the comments! Let’s keep this going.
Reflections: What I’m Grateful For
Please excuse my red puffy eyes - this was a full-circle moment for me and you know I cry when my heart is full. I’ve had the privilege the past few months to be surrounded by colleagues from past ventures in a handful of full-circle moments. Catching up with Lauren McKinnon and her team on possible partnerships with Project Mockingbird and
was high among them. As I wrote about in Thursday’s Unscripted, my biggest business lesson is to look for aligned partners - not in what they can “do” for us, but by how we both expand by helping each other. Expansion is key.Lauren and her team expand. So grateful for all that we both have done and all we’re going to do together in the future.
My 3 Favorite Things
Must Listen double feature:
’s podcast with - Everything is Fine - is in my ears as I walk the block on Mondays (I generally have to walk and listen to them because I’m audibly responding to their conversation as if I’m a guest - shhhhh don’t give away my secret.) I particularly loved this episode with .Speaking of Jenn, her conversation with
for Your New Life Blend is incredible.Must See: 🚨Sound the alarm, all Gen Xers 🚨 BRATS, a documentary by director and actor Andrew McCarthy, is airing on June 13 on Hulu. This is one I’d do a recap and play-by-play about on Substack - anyone want to join?
Must Read: I was reminded recently of a 2018 NYT opinion piece by
, Fortune’s new Managing Director, as she stepped away from her work to give some expansive space. She wrote about the fear, others’ responses, and how she moved herself forward. It is so relevant today. (Thanks to for bringing up this convo in my LinkedIn conversations!)
Take Care
Clap for me, friends - my act of self-care this week was getting my finances in order. It is a freaking miracle. Where is my gold star?
What is one thing you’ve been putting off and need to check off the list? Let me know - I’m happy to be your cheerleader. We can address that “check off item” on Tuesday - for now, enjoy the rest of your Memorial Day weekend.
