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Every two weeks, I share my writing on investing, career transitions, meaningful work, parenting, living intentionally, and other topics that engage me.

I'm still trying to figure stuff out.

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Deliberate Disconnect

For years, I've maintained an ambivalent relationship with LinkedIn. It's the only social media platform I check with any regularity, and for good reason.

At its best, LinkedIn has provided me with genuine moments of connection: the joy of reconnecting with long-lost colleagues, following their career journeys, and even forming meaningful new professional relationships.

The LinkedIn Paradox

Yet there's always been an undeniable tension in my relationship with the platform. On one hand, LinkedIn offers valuable networking opportunities and occasional insights. On the other, it increasingly feels like navigating through an endless stream of:

• Self-promotional humble brags ("Honored and humbled to announce...")
• Corporate marketing thinly disguised as thought leadership
• Relentless sales pitches masquerading as connection requests
• Algorithms that reward performative vulnerability over substance

These elements have always been present, but I've generally found the benefits outweighed the annoyances.

The Tipping Point

Recently, however, have you noticed that something has shifted?

What was once a rare professional space largely free from the culture wars and political tribalism of other networks has gradually transformed into yet another battleground for divisive content.

Political content, often oversimplified and divisive, now appears in my feed with increasing frequency.

I'm not naive and cannot expect a social media platform to ignore the rising intensity of political discourse, nor should it. When implemented, policies quickly become real and pressing issues of personal finance, investing, and career development.

However, it's unproductive when complex issues that deserve nuanced exploration get reduced to provocative one-liners designed to maximize engagement. Thoughtful and well-articulated ideas shared on LinkedIn (Denise Chisholm and Geoff Dennis are two examples of quality content contributors that come to mind) must now compete for attention with the same tribal signaling that has made other platforms so exhausting.

I've realized that I simply cannot explore complex ideas in social media packaging.

At least, I can't do it in a way that feels authentic or valuable.

Finding a Better Alternative

If you're feeling similarly caught in this dilemma, valuing professional connection but tired of the platform's limitations, I'd like to suggest an alternative that has worked for me.

Start a free newsletter!

Unlike social media's constant demand for engagement, free newsletters offer:

• Space for nuanced thinking
• Direct connection with an audience that genuinely wants to hear from you or unsubscribe (no harm, no foul)
• Freedom from algorithmic manipulation
• The ability to develop ideas at your own pace
• A format that encourages thoughtful consumption rather than reactive responses
• No pressure to grow subscribers or stress about unsubscribes

Behind the Scenes: My Newsletter Journey

In case you're considering this path, I thought I'd share a glimpse into my process for creating "Beyond the Cove":

1. Finding my focus: I write about investing, career transitions, meaningful work, and intentional living: topics that matter to me where I hope to offer something genuine to contribute.
2. Setting a sustainable rhythm: Bi-weekly publication gives me enough time to develop quality ideas without overwhelming my schedule.
3. Creating a consistent structure: Each newsletter includes a main essay followed by "Other Stuff": interesting content I've discovered, and ends with a personal photo.
4. Writing conversationally: I aim for a tone that feels like a thoughtful conversation with a friend, not a formal business document.
5. Embracing imperfection: I'm still figuring things out as I go, and admitting that vulnerability has actually strengthened my connection with readers.

The greatest surprise has been how this format has helped me clarify my own thinking. Ideas that would have remained half-formed thoughts now develop into meaningful reflections through the discipline of writing.

And while the newsletter might seem like a one-way broadcast, often it's the first step that leads to thoughtful email exchanges and scheduled conversations.

An Invitation

If you decide to start your own newsletter, I'd love to know about it. Consider me your first subscriber and supporter.

If you want to discuss process or tools, I'd be happy to help if I can.

LinkedIn will likely remain in my professional life in some capacity; there are connections and opportunities there I genuinely value.

But lately I'm finding that the most meaningful exchanges happen in spaces we create ourselves, where thoughtfulness and depth can flourish.

Sometimes the most valuable networking happens not in broadcasting to thousands, but in writing something true that resonates deeply with even a few.

What would you write about in your first essay?

Other Stuff

Capital Watch: Increased Investment Expected Despite Bond Market Volatility According to CBRE, bond yield volatility has been the primary deterrent keeping commercial real estate investors on the sidelines. We've hardly seen more stability in recent weeks, however, treasury yields are falling fast. If yields can stabilize below the 4% level, we might see transaction activity accelerate. I acknowledge CBRE's optimistic bias as well as my own, but it's worth watching. So too is the starting point with cap rates (across all property types) now offering some of the highest levels since 2011.

​Read the report (5 mins)

Giving Advice I'm always interested in reading articles that combine parenting and personal finance. This post by Adam Grossman on the Humble Dollar explains how inheritances can have unintended consequences, leading to complex decisions for parents on how to help their children financially. He offers seven steps as a starting point. Potential issues include fairness among children, managing complexity (eg, setting up trusts), and incorporating charitable giving into estate planning. At a high level, Adam encourages transparency with children regarding gifting plans and maintaining the flexibility to update the plan as circumstances change.

​Read the post (5 mins)

Upsets, Rookie Pranks, and Glue Guy Caddies This conversation digs into the importance of getting away with friends. They suggest leveraging shared activities in small groups that offer a structured environment for honest conversation, fun competition, and camaraderie. Hat tip to FL for flagging this one.

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​Listen to the podcast (50 mins)

And a Farewell Photo...

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